Labor of Love - A Doula Network's topics - tribe.net

Just Another Day in a Woman's Life? Free lecture in Portland!

~crisea~ — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:55:14 GMT

OHSU Nurse Midwifery Grand Rounds is pleased to present

Penny Simkin

Just Another Day in a Woman's Life?

Lifetime effects of care received during childbirth and its relation to post-traumatic stress disorder

7:30-8:30 AM Tuesday, February 3, 2009

DCH 11620 Miller's Auditorium

Doernbecher Children's Hospital, 11th Floor

Free!

~ Penny Simkin will be speaking about "Just Another Day in a Woman’s Life?", her ongoing research regarding the lifetime effects of the care received the day a woman gives birth and relate it to recent studies on post-traumatic stress disorder after childbirth, its causes and its prevention.

~ Penny Simkin, PT, is a physical therapist who has specialized in childbirth education since 1968. She estimates she has prepared over 9,500 women, couples, and siblings for childbirth. She has assisted hundreds of women or couples through childbirth as a doula. She is the author of many books on birth for both parents and professionals, at least one of which is a required text in the OHSU Nurse Midwifery program. Currently, she serves on several boards of consultants and editorial boards, including the journal, Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care; the International Childbirth Education Association; and the Seattle Midwifery School.

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For more information about OHSU's Nurse-Midwifery Grand Rounds, you can contact: Cassandra Selby, Midwifery Graduate Student, selbyc@ohsu.edu , or Carol Howe, CNM, DNSc, FACNM, Grand Rounds Faculty Advisor, howec@ohsu.edu

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Online Birth Class

Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:21:58 GMT

The Co-Creative Birthing Circle is an online holistic, multimedia childbirth class for parents-to-be at www.maiainstitute.com

Comprehensive information for prenatal wellness, labor preparation, conscious birth, and a happy postpartum. Includes videos, links, articles, activities, online discussion forum, e-book, positive birth stories, and whole foods cookbook.

Conscious Birth Education for 21st Century Parents
Birthing the Children of the New Millennium

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

New, doula in training.

christine — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:52:26 GMT

Hello,
My name is Christine, I have six children and I am starting to train as a Doula.
Anxious to learn and share.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

birth petition

Grandma — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:52:50 GMT

The AMA now wants legislation mandating how and where we give birth. Want to respond?

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/birthathome/index.html

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 2 replies

Looking for Doulas on the SF Peninsula

jenniferwolfe — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:46:54 GMT

Hi Everyone,

My name is Jennifer Wolfe and I own the Dolphin Yoga & Doula Center in San Mateo, CA. We specialize in Doula Services, Prenatal Yoga & Childbirth Education. We are starting a Dolphin Method Doula Training in September which includes childbirth hypnosis and hands on training and mentoring.

I am actually posting because I am looking for doulas who have some experience already (optimally at least 15-20 births) to join our team. You will be trainied in hypnosis for childbirth for free in exchange for providing back-up (there is a lot of back-up work) and then getting your own births. If you are interested please contact Jennifer Wolfe or Tracy Stettner at 650-888-6996. Thanks!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Birthing From Within

ZenJen — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:13:10 GMT

Hello! I am an aspiring doula and have been looking into various options in regards to training and certification. The Birthing From Within workshops look very appealing and the concept seems in line with my vision. I am wondering if any of you have been to a BFW workshop or have heard anything about them. I will have to travel (likely over 500 miles one way) to make it to the class, and want to make sure it will be worth my time and money. Any input positive or negative would be much appreciated!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

UGGG New York Times Article

jenliette — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:05:19 GMT

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/fashion/02doula.html?

Wow... just when it seems like we doulas are breaking through the old stereotypes the New York Times puts this Article out! Honestly my biggest complaint with it is that negative experiences with doulas are not the norm and there are no positive stories to balance the negative. It completely distorts the role we play and the contribution we make to create positive birth experiences.

I have done about 200 births as a doula and worked with hundreds of pregnant women doing hypnosis and prenatal yoga, my goal is not that every woman have a natural childbirth even if that is more often than not the outcome. My goal is that the women have a good birth experience, that includes making sure the staff and i are getting along so the womans' experience is not impacted by having tension in the room. Also why attack lactation consultants???

This is so discouraging...any thoughts on something positive to do to counteract this negativity???

Jen
http://www.jenniferwolfeyoga.com
http://www.dolphinyoga.com

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 3 replies

Workshops vs. Distance Learning?

refflection — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:01:32 GMT

Aloha! I am eager to get certified to be a doula, but I want to make the right choice regarding how to learn the material. I see that birtharts.com and childbirthinternational.com offer distance learning for ~$400 (does this cover the certification as well?). I'm also looking at DONA, where you pay a membership fee, certification fee and then I am guessing you pay for the class as well (can't find prices for this, wondering how much they are?). How did everyone here get certified? Is the distance learning really satisfying, or is it better to learn in person even though it only lasts a weekend?

Any advice appreciated :)
Namaste,
Masha

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 2 replies

HypnoBirthing Childbirth Education Class in North Oakland

carrie — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:55:20 GMT

HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method
A Celebration of Life
HypnoBirthing is a comprehensive childbirth education class focusing on pregnancy and birth that teaches mothers & their birth companions techniques for safe and satisfying birthing through guided imagery, visualization and special breathing. HypnoBirthing is taught in 5 two-and-a-half hour classes.

“My dream is that every woman, everywhere, will know the joy of a safe, satisfying birth for both her baby and herself—one she’ll not need to forget.”
-Marie F. Mongan, 1999

Terra’s Temple
654 Oakland Avenue, North Oakland
Tuesdays June 10th, 17th, 24th, July 1st & 8th
6:30-9:00 pm
With Carrie Flemming, M.A., H.B.C.E.
$250-300 sliding scale
Includes HypnoBirthing book & relaxation/visualization cd
510.907.0075
flemmica@gmail.com
(Private classes also available in your home)

About HypnoBirthing:
The HypnoBirthing Childbirth method is as much a philosophy of birth as it is a technique for achieving a satisfying, relaxing, and stress-free method of birthing. HypnoBirthing teaches you, along with your birthing companion, the Art and Joy of experiencing birth in a more comfortable manner. You will learn to call upon your body’s own natural relaxant and thus lessen or eliminate discomfort and the need for medication. When a woman is properly prepared for childbirth and when mind and body are in harmony, nature is free to function in the same will-designed manner that it does with all other creatures.

You will be fascinated as you view HypnoBirthing films showing laboring mothers, awake, alert and in good humor as they experience the kind of gentle birth that you, too, can know when you are free of the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome.

HypnoBirthing teaches you to release all prior programming about birth, how to trust your body and work with it, as well as how to free yourself of harmful emotions that lead to pain-causing fear and unyielding muscles.

HypnoBirthing will teach you the art of using your own natural birthing instincts. With HypnoBirthing, you will be aware and fully in control, but profoundly relaxed.

YOU WILL LEARN:

Everything you need to know to achieve safer, easier and more comfortable birth

To explode the myth that pain is a necessary accompaniment to labor

What’s wrong with labor as it exists with most other childbirth methods

Techniques of deep relaxation to help you eliminate the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome

How your body is naturally designed to conceive, nurture and birth your baby with ease and comfort

To create your body’s own natural relaxant, the only safe labor enhancement

Natural ways to bring your body into labor without artificial chemical induction

How you and your birthing companion can create a birthing environment that is calm, serene and joyful, rather than tense and stressful

Gentle birthing techniques that allow you to breathe your baby into the world without the violence of hard physical pushing

To use your natural birthing instincts to birth your baby in a way that most mirrors the way that nature intended

Carrie Flemming is a Certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator, birth doula & visual artist. She studied birth with Elizabeth Davis, Felicia Roche & Marie Mongan, and has supported families in various settings for 6 years. She holds master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University and Women’s Spirituality & Social Change from New College of California, and is affiliated with The HypnoBirthing Institute.
Her support is compassionate, creative & from the heart.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

book remmendations...

absorblife — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 05:13:38 GMT

what book(s) would you recommend for a woman to read during her first trimester? ideally this would be a book that focuses more on nutrition during pregnancy, the physiological changes taking place, basic do's and don't's, etc and focuses less on the actual birthing process...

i look forward to hearing from you.
many thanks.
and infinite blessings.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

Support a Family Healing Arts Center!

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:49:09 GMT

Hello, please vote for my hoopdancing video "Gemini Hoops" and help me to win $10,000 to fund the creation of a healing arts center!

PLEASE VOTE FOR "GEMINI HOOPS" on CLIPSTAR!

http://www.clipstar.com/videopage.jsf?video=9_7002_159

My intention is to win this contest in order to have the funds to create a Family Healing Arts Center in Eugene, OR with craniosacral therapy, chiropractic, midwifery, and classes for fertility, pregnancy, babies, children, and families. I already have the space and practitioners available. I just need the money to remodel the space, buy furniture, signs, insurance, and the start-up costs. Your vote can help make this family healing space into a beautiful community center!

Thank you! Every vote counts! Feel free to pass this along!

Blessings, Kara

P.S. Voting continues until April 30th. You will need to register to vote, however when you register you can choose not to receive any other emails from this company or others, so your privacy is insured. THANK YOU!!!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Doula Training Scholarships

demetria — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:20:21 GMT

Birth Arts International have the following scholarship options.
Check it out.
http://www.birtharts.com/scholarships.htm
We have the following available
Distance Learning Doula Program
Distance Learning Postpartum Doula Program

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Countdown to first birth!

Michele )o( — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:29:23 GMT

So I need some help!
I' m a doula in training and I found out today that the mother to be tested positive for group b strep. Anyone had any experience with this, if so any advice as to how I should handle and prepare for this (besides reading about it)? Her due date is this week and I have one more prenatal visit with the couple and I want to go in there prepared for questions.
Any advice would be sooooo great!!!

blessed be
Michele :)

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

Moving Through referrals for Portland OR

Nicole — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:35:16 GMT

Moving Through Referrals

Doulas

Moving Through: Nicole Sanson-Frey
Birthing From Within model of doula care, trained with Pam England, author of BFW… Nicole also teaches prenatal yoga and Birthing From Within classes
Cell : (503) 358-0517 email: movingthrough@gmail.com
www.movingthrough.com

Inanna Doula Care: Katherine Stewart
DONA trained, also a BFW childbirth mentor and prenatal Pilates instructor
Cell: (503) 309-8577 email: stewartk22@msn.com

Mother Tree Birth Services
(I recommend Jennifer Steele, she is a BFW mentor and also an acupuncturist)
http://www.mothertreebirth.com/
(503) 343-9911

Davis Doula
http://www.davisdoula.com/
(503) 320-9847

Triple Moon Doulas
http://www.triplemoondoulas.com/

Sliding Scale Doulas

Laura Jones, LMT
(210) 445-5870
nutrility21@yahoo.com

Supported Start: Katie Briggs: (503) 830-5322
Katie@supportedstart.com
www.supportedstart.com

Volunteer and/or student doulas

Birthingway College of Midwifery
http://birthingway.org/student_doulas.html
(503) 760-3131

PDX Doulas
http://www.pdxdoulas.org/
1-888-266-6160

Postpartum Doula Services

ABC Doula Service, Inc. (503) 752-1691
http://www.oregondoula.com/ABC/Welcome_Page.htm

(Prenatal) Massage Therapists

Laura Jones, LMT, Simply Massage
(210) 445-5870
nutrility21@yahoo.com

Zennana Spa , a spa for pregnant and post partum women
(I recommend Delinda for massage, she’s incredible!)
http://zenana-spa.com/
2024 Se Clinton St
Portland, OR 97202
(503) 238-6262
Delinda 503-754-0247 cell

Nephyr Jackobson, The Naga Center (prenatal Thai massage)
(503) 473-4268
http://www.nagacenter.org/booking.html

Craniosacral Bodywork

Carol Gray
http://www.carolgray.com/carolgray/Study_Bodywork_&_Craniosacral_Therapy_With_Carol_Gray.html
1414 NW 53rd Drive
Portland, OR 97210
voice: 503-236-2999fax: 503-236-4334
e-mail: carolag@e-z.net

Acupuncture
Mississippi Health Center
http://www.mississippihealthcenter.com/Acupuncture.htm
(503) 282-5358
Ask for Jennifer Steele… she is a birth doula and a BFW mentor as well

Riverwest Acupuncture, Lisa C. Francolini
http://www.riverwestacupuncture.com/
5441 SW Macadam Ave. | Portland, OR 97239
503.246.0103 | lisa@riverwestacupuncture.com

Chiropractic Bodywork

West Hills Chiropractic Clinic
Dr. Sarah Conroy
503-644-5100
cell – 503-860-9001

Lactation Consultants

Beyond Birth Lactation Specialists
http://www.beyondbirthservices.com/
(503) 232-2229
(located at Zenana Spa and Wellness Center)

Nursing Phone Support

La Leche League Portland
(503) 282-9377
http://www.mothersource.org/resources_listing.php?id=20_0_4_0_C

Nursing Mothers Counsel of Oregon
• Portland: (503) 282-3338
• Vancouver: (360)750-0656

http://www.nursingmotherscounsel.org/sitemap.htm

Home Birth & Birthing Centers

Alma Midwifery
http://www.almamidwifery.com/
(503) 233-3001
1608 SE Ankeny St. Portland

Natural Childbirth and Family Clinic
http://www.naturalchildbirthclinic.com/
10360 N.E. Wasco St.
Portland, OR 97220
Phone: 503.252.8125 or 1.800.961.8125
Fax: 503.256.8422
Email: info@naturalchildbirthclinic.com
NCFC also hosts a vaccination talk every month w/ Edwin Hoffman-Smith

Creative Space Midwifery
Beth Sagli, CPM
Marilyn Milestone, LDM, CPM
503-239-7069
info@birthissafe.com
www.birthissafe.com
3021 SE Division, Portlnad

Northwest Community Midwives
Susan Moray, CPM, LDM (susan@nwmidwives.com)
Celeste Kersey, CPM, LDM (celeste@nwmidwives.com)
503.230.2831
Portland, Oregon

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

new doula here

~crisea~ — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:29:15 GMT

hi there, i recently took a doula workshop and was wondering how i should start getting involved in births. can anyone help? thank you!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 3 replies

Waterbirth International Needs our Help

Sacred_flame — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 03:05:47 GMT

Please help Barbara Harper keep waterbirth alive

Waterbirth International may close doors. Here is a note from Barbara Harper of Waterbirth International

Barbara Harper wrote:.

I cannot yet imagine a world without the voice and work of Waterbirth
International - we get calls and emails every day from women who need help
convincing one hospital or another to let them labor or birth in water. If
we die - a big part of the movement dies. Waterbirth has shown us all that
women know how to give birth and babies know how to be born. Waterbirth
gave us "hands-off", sit back and let the baby out. I see waterbirth
mentioned on Blogs every single day, not to mention Baby Story on the TV. I
took Waterbirth International to ACOG two years in a row - and was the ONLY
booth showing birth films to obstetricians and especially to student
physicians. There were tears, laughter and outrage - just the thing to stir
up those young crop of doctors. I am finally realizing a life's dream.

But now I am faced with letting this dream go. Perhaps I have done enough.
Perhaps it is time to quit.

About 18 years ago, maybe it was longer, when Mothering Magazine was facing
bankruptcy Peggy did a heartfelt plea asking their readers to consider
ordering a Life-time subscription. I think the subscriptions were $1000 or
$1200, I can't remember now. I do remember that I couldn't imagine not
reading my Mothering. So, I bought two and gave one to my obstetrician's
office.

How can you help us stay open to take the next phone call? - to convince the
next obstetrician to incorporate waterbirth into his/her practice - to work
with the nurse midwives to install pools in their facilities? To educate an
entire hospital on the benefits of allowing women freedom of movement in the
water. How much is it worth to see waterbirth become the norm in the US,
like it is in the UK? I think we only need a few more years to make that
happen. Do women really want waterbirth to be an available choice in every
hospital? I think so.

Can you help us by getting the word out on blogs and lists? I had to let go
of all of the staff except one person to process orders. Miraculously, we
made payroll today, but we can't hang on much longer. We need a miracle.

If I need to call every single waterbirth parent personally, I will. I
don't want 25 years of work to end over a measly $200,000.

The work that we have done the last few years has been phenomenal. How God
arranged for me to teach in hospitals and medical schools around the planet
- Taiwan, Venezuela, Turkey, Mexico, Canada, Holland, Portugal, China,
Trinidad, Croatia - I'll never figure that out. I laugh out loud sometimes
when I get up in front of an audience of physicians in a medical school
overseas - who all want to hear about waterbirth and the incorporation of
Gentle Birth practices and principles into their routines.

Think about what you can do and call me if you want to chat or if you have
some great ideas on how we can quickly move into the black and keep
waterbirth alive and thriving.

We need your help. Barbara Harper needs your help. The waterbirth/gentle
birth movement needs your help.

Blessings,
Barbara
Barbara Harper, RN, CLD, CCE
Founder/Director
Waterbirth International
www.waterbirth.org
503-673-0026 -office (out of US or in Portland)
800-641-2229 - toll free
503-710-7975 - cell phone

We LOVE helping women get into Hot Water!!
And have been doing it for 24 years!!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Holistic Doula Training in N. Virginia

Allison — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:51:46 GMT

Matrona Holistic Doula Training

Four weekends...starting January 26th & 27th.
Also, March 8th and 9th, April 5th and 6th
and May 3rd and 4th

Class times...
Saturday and Sunday -- 9:30 am till 5:30 pm

Learn the Art of Birth
and how to assist women and families create a natural birthing experience.

You will learn...
How to calculate a mom's Estimated Date of Birth
How conception and placentation takes place
The hormones of pregnancy
How pregnancy evolves and how labor begins
How dilation and effacement take place
The Holistic Stages of Labor
How to catch a baby and assist the Mother
Waterbirth and Positions for Labor
Comfort Measures for Labor
The Birth of the Placenta and Placenta Medicine
Assisting Postpartum and Breastfeeding
The Normal Newborn
Homeopathy and Herbs for the Childbearing Continuum
____________________________________________

This series includes 64 hours of Doula Training and
Certificates will be awarded at the conclusion of the program.
Classes will be held in Sterling, VA
Cost $600 for the series

For registration and logistical information please call...
Allison Tilluma at 703-298-5876

For information on the curriculum and scope of the classes...
Whapio at belovedpilgrim@yahoo.com or 828-242-2188

Visit www.thematrona.com for complete curriculum

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

help....

SusanM — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:06:53 GMT

who do you think is the better doula cert...why...

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Birth Arts Doula Workshop in Maui

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:23:45 GMT

BIRTH ARTS INTERNATIONAL DOULA WORKSHOP
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
February 8, 9, 10, 2007

http://www.maiahealingarts.com/birth-arts-doula-maui/

Join us for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.

The training includes an three days of class, extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women’s wisdom and intuition.

The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.
with Kara Spencer, LMT, CD

Location:
The workshop will be held in the private residence of the workshop's Maui hostess in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii.

Individuals are responsible for their own lodging and transportation. The workshop location is 15 minutes from the airport, and close by to hostels and hotels.

Time and Dates:
Friday, February 8th, 1-6pm
Saturday, February 9th, 9am-6pm
Sunday, February 10th, 9am-6pm

For REGISTERATION & questions:
Contact: Kara Spencer, LMT, CD, CBE - kara@birtharts.com, 514-520-0681

For more information go to Birth Arts International ~ www.birtharts.com

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Anyone looking to be a Doula? Labor Assist? Workshop here in San Diego, CA

Chelsea — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:30:28 GMT

I am helping to hosting a Labor/Birth Assistant Doula training workshop at the end of this month. ALACE (Association of Labor Assistant and Childbirth Educators) the oldest Labor Assistant/ Doula training program in America, and they are having a 3 day workshop for anyone who has interest in Labor Assisting/Doula. This is a great course for anyone who wants to learn more about Pregnancy and Birth and how to support women and their partners during labor. This has been an amazing career choice for me, and everyone I know that has been able to move into this line of work.

The workshop is November 30th-Decemer 2nd at the UCSD Women's Health Center on the UCSD campus in La Jolla. The trainer coming out for this workshop has been a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) and Doula for over 20 years, and she is awesome! If you want me to mail you a brochure, or email you one give me a call or email me at SDAlaceWorkshop@Gmail.com or (619) 849-8708. You can also message me here on Tribe.

"An ALACE Certified Labor Assistant/Birth Doula is a professional care provider who understands and trusts the process of birth, who respects its transcendent and sacred aspects as well as its physical and emotional aspects, and who facilitates the birth experience for parents, baby and primary care providers."- from the ALACE website.

For more information on what a Doula does please also feel free to visit the ALACE website at www.Alace.org

Thank you!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Birth Arts Doula Workshop at Harbin Hot Springs

Sun, 14 Oct 2007 02:47:09 GMT

BIRTH ARTS INTERNATIONAL
DOULA WORKSHOP

at Harbin Hot Springs in Middletown, CA
October 19th-21st, 2007

To Register and for more info: www.maiahealingarts.com/harbin...oct-07/

Join us for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.

The training includes an three days of class, extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women’s wisdom and intuition. The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

with Kara Spencer, LMT, CD
Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown, CA
October 19-21, 2007

Kara Spencer - Maia Healing Arts: www.maiahealingarts.com
Birth Arts International ~ www.birtharts.com
Harbin Hot Springs Retreat Center - www.harbin.org

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Doula training in L.A.?

13moonflower — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 07:03:53 GMT

hi all, don't know if i have posted on this site yet

i am wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction of a good, down to earth, holistically minded Doula training course here in the L.A. area? i have spoken with daBomb, but also wanted to put it out here, before i go out searching too much...like who is a great teacher, how much should i expect the cost, the time, etc.?

any good suggestions? i am in the Santa Monica area, but would be willing to drive a bit for the right classes

this has been something in the back of my mind and heart for a long time, especially as a bodyworker, and it has been really coming up this year...thanks everyone!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 2 replies

free and easy way to help homeless children

beckeyla — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:51:12 GMT

www.railwaychildren-friends.com/email.asp

place this web search-engine in place of your old one and raise 10p per search

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Birth Arts Doula Training at Lost Valley, Oregon - Aug 24-26

Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:30:26 GMT

Birth Arts International Doula Training
at Lost Valley Educational Center, Dexter, OR (near Eugene)
August 24-26, 2007
www.birtharts.com

For more information see: http://www.maiahealingarts.com/lost-valley-oregon-august/
or contact Kara at 541-520-0681

Join us at Lost Valley for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.

The training includes a weekend workshop, lodging (dorm or camping), meals, an extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women’s wisdom and intuition. The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

Instructors:

Kara Maia Spencer, LMT , CD, CBE

Tuition: $350

Food & Lodging: $130 - dormitory lodging, $70 - camping in your own tent
includes delicious vegetarian meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch

For registration or inquiries contact:

Kara at 541-520-0681 or email kara@birtharts.com

Mail your registration form and tuition to: Kara Spencer, 2833 Willamette St, Suite B, Eugene, OR 97405

About Lost Valley Educational Center:

Lost Valley, www.lostvalley.org, is a permaculture school, intentional community, and workshop retreat center. Situated just 25 minutes east of Eugene, OR on a beautiful reserve of land, there are hiking trails, a creek with a swimming hole in the summer, and guided nature trails.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

LOOKING FOR BACK UP 7/7-7/16 In Santa Monca, CA

Katie — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:59:47 GMT

Hi there! my regular back ups are not available and i'm looking for someone who preferably knows "HYPBIRTH" who can back me up for one client. thanks! please call me if available as I may not check back here 818 203 5284 (cel)

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Birth Arts International Doula Workshops

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:36:49 GMT

Upcoming Birth Arts Workshops in Vermont, Oregon, Texas, and California!
www.birtharts.com

Birth, Postpartum, and Advanced Doula Trainings integrating wise women traditions with evidence-based research.

Birth Arts Postpartum Workshop
Bennington, VT - July 28th-29th
contact: Helena Wu at helena@birtharts.com / 802-235-1512

Birth Arts Advanced Workshop - Vibrational Medicine for Birth
Chester, VT - August 25th-26th
contact: Helena Wu at helena@birtharts.com / 802-235-1512

Birth Arts Labor Doula Workshop
Lost Valley Center, Dexter, OR - August 24th-26th
contact: Kara Spencer at kara@birtharts.com / 541-520-0681
www.maiahealingarts.com/doula-training/

Birth Arts Labor Doula Workshop
Alma De Mujer, Austin, TX - August 24th-26th
contact: Patricia Couch at patricia@birtharts.com / 541-556-8415
www.pattycakebirthingservices.com/b...x/

Birth Arts Labor Doula Workshop
Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown, CA - October 19th-21st
contact: Kara Spencer at kara@birtharts.com / 541-520-0681
www.maiahealingarts.com/harbin...oct-07/

More dates coming soon. Contact demetria@birtharts.com if you are interested in hosting a class in your area or for interest in distance learning programs.

Birth Arts International
www.birtharts.com

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Birth Arts Birth Doula Training in Austin, TX

Darlene — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 09:09:51 GMT

What: Birth Arts International Doula Training and Retreat

When: Friday, August 24th - Sunday, August 26th, 2007

Where: Alma De Mujer Center for Social Change, Austin, TX

Who Should Attend: Anyone interested in learning to support women through pregnancy, birth, and immediate postpartum. This workshop is perfect for aspiring doulas, aspiring midwives, nurses, childbirth educators, college students, parents, and more.

Cost: $490, includes workshop tuition, lodging, food, and incidentals

Join Birth Arts International at Alma De Mujer Center for Social Change for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum. The training includes a weekend workshop, lodging, meals, an extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women's wisdom and intuition. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in many useful doula skills including but not limited to: bodywork, Rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief.

More information about the workshop is available at: www.withHeartandHands.net/bai.aspx

More information about Birth Arts International is available at: www.birtharts.com

More information about Alma De Mujer Center for Social Change is available at: www.main.org/alma

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Information versus Awareness, by Pam England

Nicole — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 22:22:57 GMT

Now...a brand-new article just for you, by Pam England.

INFORMATION versus AWARENESS
By Pam England

Are you wondering, what does birthing from within mean? Or how does a mother give birth from within? In a word: awareness. Rather than acting from conditioning (primarily: from fear, avoiding blame or conflict, and believing experts know more), a woman can prepare by being pregnant in-awareness. Each day she can bring attention to what she is telling herself and what she is feeling in her physical and emotional body when she receives information, advice, or has an impulse to act.

It would seem at first glance that a mother who gathers lots of information during pregnancy is motivated and headed in the "right direction." However, a more important detail of her preparation is her being aware of what is motivating her to become so well-informed. What does the drive for information feel like in her body? How does she know in her bones and gut how to use the information? And to what degree is she is aware of any of this?

If she is not listening to the subtle messages in her body, in her breath, in her dreams, or in the patterns in her thoughts and emotions, then she is acting from her conditioning and not from awareness. From the outside, no one may be able to tell the difference, but on the inside, she will feel the difference.

We certainly want our health-care practitioners (doctors, midwives, and nurses) to be well-informed about physiology, diagnosis, a variety of treatments, and pharmacology. Hunting and assimilating new information is part of their chosen professions, and they should be passionate and diligent about it.

However, a new mother, with only months or weeks before giving birth, does not have time to gather, learn, and assimilate all the information out there. Many women are conditioned to believe that if they have lots of information, then they will "pass the test" or be able to control their birth outcome. Gathering birth information sometimes becomes a kind of addiction; parents can feel the adrenalin and endorphin surges as they learn, learn, learn by surfing the net and reading. There is often an extra surge when their eyes glued to the medicalized birth shows on TV.

Here is a practice for mothers (and their partners!):

The first step in birthing (and living) in-awareness, is to turn your attention inward each day. One of the important tasks of pregnancy is to consciously tune into, develop, and trust your own, new, maternal intuition. While you are growing a baby in your belly, it's a good time to grow awareness or gut instinct.

In the same way you take a prenatal vitamin every day,
take an "Awareness Moment" everyday.

Choose the time of day in your busy life when you regularly have ten minutes to spare. Commit to enjoy your ten minute Awareness Moment during this time. Doing it at the same time each day adds rhythm and grounding to your life; it also makes the practice more potent, more quickly. Focus and concentration actually increase relaxation and awareness of your body, mind, breath, and life. Doing this practice right when you wake up is ideal, because your mind is not racing. If it means you wake up ten minutes earlier, then do it. (You're going to be getting up "earlier" in a few months anyway!)

Your Awareness Moment
Sit up straight. Sit outside if weather permits. Open your chest, open your legs, and straighten your back. Be in your body. If you can get into a body position that encourages optimal fetal positioning, that is be ideal. Don't slouch, as that sends a negative message to your body-mind.

Begin by practicing Breath Awareness (described in our books, classes, and CD), which will bring you into Quiet Mind. Day by day, the more you practice, the more quickly and deeply you will enter Quiet Mind.

When you are in Quiet Mind, your brain waves slow down. Your blood pressure and heart rate drop, then you begin to breathe more deeply and naturally. The muscles in your jaw, neck, shoulders, and pelvis began to loosen and make more room. You move from your conscious thinking (which is not very deep) and into your Quiet Mind and your wise deeper well of knowing.

Sometimes you will have a question buzzing around in your mind. A question you've been trying to answer with research and by asking others what they think. Take that question into your Awareness Moment practice. As your mind becomes quieter and quieter, ask, "What do I really want and need to know about this?" Then Listen Within.

Continue breathing quietly, and feel the answer. Don't "think" the answer. Just wait for the answer to come to you. Feel the answer in your body. It may come as image, a single word, a story, or a feeling.

Some people think BIRTHING FROM WITHIN is narrowly focused on achieving a natural birth, that is, a labor without drugs or interventions, or even without pain. Birthing from within has nothing to do with birthing normally or quietly, or without pain or interventions. A mother could have every intervention in the book and still be birthing in-awareness. When she is aware of what she is feeling emotionally and physically, and she is in her self-awareness, then she is gentle with herself and those who are working with her; she is acting and speaking from that deeper knowing. When she can't change what is happening out there, she brings attention to what is happening within her. She does not abandon herself, her "inner-Child" or her spiritual practice.

In upcoming newsletters, I will go on describing in more detail how you can cultivate awareness in your life and in your birth and postpartum journeys, and how people who work in birth-related fields can bring their own knowing and listening within to their own practice.

In-Love,
Pam England

--------------------------------------------------------
MORE TO THINK ABOUT

How much information do you need? When you are listening within, you may better know what is motivating you to want to know something. Preparing to birth from within doesn't mean you won't read or research anything about birth ever; it does mean you will know from a deeper, calmer place if you do need to research, or get a second opinion, or take action of any kind. You may find yourself doing just what needs to be done in the moment, instead of doing everything you can to avoid or control certain outcomes.

As an exercise in cultivating Awareness,
before each "information feeding frenzy", inquire:
What do I really want to know?
How will I use this information?

After each" information-feeding frenzy," inquire:
So, what do I know now?
What do I feel or know in my body-mind?
Do I feel more peaceful? More confident?
More open and ready to give birth?

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

10 steps to be a mother friendly provider

Gamo — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:26:04 GMT

go to http://www.ingentac onnect.com/ content/lamaze/ jpe and download the booklet...give it to your midwife, ob doulas nurse etc...

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Midwife.TV Launches New Website

22252 — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 08:03:12 GMT

Midwife.TV Launches New Website

Press release from: Womankind Midwifery
Published date: 01-30-2007 10:40 AM - CET

South Dakota Certified Nurse Midwife, Jeanne Prentice launches new video website "Midwife.TV" to help visitors understand the importance of homebirth and midwifery care. Jeanne is currently working on changing South Dakota State Law, which restricts her and other midwives from practicing their profession in South Dakota.

Certified Nurse Midwives bring midwifery care in South Dakota into the 21st Century with House Bill 1267. Although Certified Nurse Midwives have been licensed and practicing for over 25 years in South Dakota, CNMs are not growing in numbers in our state. Part of this is likely due to the fact that in order for a nurse midwife to practice in South Dakota, she must have a written collaborative agreement with a physician. That agreement takes form in a written contract that is enforced by the State Board of Nursing as well as the State Board of Medical Examiners. South Dakota’s Nurse midwives are on a mission to change this statute and have submitted a bill to the House of Representatives. Sponsored by (R) Rep. Tom Brunner, the bill proposes that CNMs be allowed to practice in accordance with their board certifying organization, the American College of Nurse Midwives.

The American College of Nurse Midwifery defines nurse midwifery as an independent practice. As of November of 2006, 30 states have removed the requirement for written collaborative agreements and many more have legislative action in progress. South Dakota has been slow to move on the concept and House Bill 1267 will hopefully change that. House Bill 1267 was initiated by members of the South Dakota Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives. In 2006, one member, Jeanne Prentice, attempted to obtain a waiver from the state to provide care to women who were having unassisted home births. The state denied the waiver stating they did not have the authority to provide a wavier. The requirement for the collaborative agreement is in South Dakota Statute.

Prentice has a clinic in Beulah, Wyoming where she provides care for women who choose to birth outside of the hospital setting. “Having a baby at the clinic is not the same as a homebirth, but we make it as homelike as possible” says Prentice. Beulah is just 10 miles across the South Dakota border. In Wyoming, Certified Nurse Midwives do not have the restrictive requirements of a collaborative agreement. In 2005, there were 42 unassisted homebirths in South Dakota.

Across the nation, there are over 5,500 Certified Nurse Midwives practicing in a variety of settings including hospitals, birthing centers and homes. Entry into the College of Midwives requires a state license as an RN and graduate education in Nurse Midwifery. In South Dakota there are 14 Nurse Midwives licensed but not all are able to practice due to the collaborative agreement restrictions.

Certified Nurse Midwives are known for their low intervention in the birth process leading to outstanding outcomes with fewer cesarean sections, less trauma to mother and babies, higher apgar scores. They focus on care of normal pregnancies but work in high risk settings as well.

Most of South Dakota’s Native American population receive Nurse Midwifery care at facilities like Pine Ridge, Rosebud and Native Women’s Health Clinic in Rapid City. Three nurse midwives from the Rapid City clinic deliver mother’s at Rapid City Regional Hospital. Federal law does not require Certified Nurse Midwives to have a collaborative agreement.

American College of Nurse Midwives - Position Statement on Collaborative Agreements

Requirements for Signed Collaborative Agreements between Physicians and Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) or Certified Midwives (CMs)

The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) strongly supports the principle of collaboration in the delivery of healthcare services, as evidenced by the Standards for the Practice of Midwifery, the ACNM Position Statement on Collaborative Management in Midwifery Practice, and the Joint Statement of Practice Relations between Obstetrician - Gynecologists and Certified Nurse-Midwives/Certified Midwives. However, the ACNM opposes requirements for signed collaborative agreements between physicians and certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) or certified midwives (CMs) as a condition for licensure, reimbursement, clinical privileging and hospital credentialing, or prescriptive authority.

It is the ACNM position that safe, quality health care can best be provided to women and their infants when policy makers develop laws and regulations that permit CNMs and CMs to provide independent midwifery care within their scope of practice while fostering consultation, collaborative management, or seamless referral and transfer of care when indicated. ACNM opposes requirements for signed collaborative agreements with physicians as a condition for licensure, reimbursement, clinical privileging and hospital credentialing, or prescriptive authority as such requirements, in practice, interfere with effective coordination of care.

- Requirements for a signed collaborative agreement do not guarantee the effective communication between midwives and physicians that is so critical to successful collaboration:

- They do not assure physician availability when needed
- There is no evidence that they increase the safety or quality of patient care
- In certain circumstances, such as the aftermath of a natural or declared disaster, such requirements have hampered the ability of CNMs/CMs to provide critically necessary emergency relief services
- Collaborative agreements signed by individual physicians wrongly imply that CNMs/CMs need the supervision of those individuals in all situations. Based on this misconception:

o Professional liability companies have used signed agreements with their implied requirements for supervision as the rationale for raising physician premiums citing increased risk related to such unneeded supervision
o CNMs/CMs may be restricted from exercising their full scope of practice or from receiving hospital credentials, clinical privileges, or third party reimbursement for services that fall within the scope of their training and licensure

- Requirements for signed collaborative agreements can create an unfair economic disadvantage for CNMs/CMs:

o They have been used to limit the number of midwives who can practice collaboratively with any one physician, effectively barring CNMs/CMs from practice in some cases or restricting the ratio of CNMs/CMs to physicians
o They allow potential economic competitors to dictate whether or not midwives can practice in a community
o They restrict access to care and choice of provider for women. This is of particular concern in underserved areas.

The Standards for the Practice of Midwifery state that midwifery care is based upon knowledge, skills, and judgment which are reflected in written practice guidelines that are mutually agreed upon, and specifically mandates that those guidelines define the parameters for consultation, collaboration, and referral. The Standards do not require signed collaborative agreements with physicians. Policies that create confusion about the designation of responsibility are to be avoided, especially given the current malpractice climate. It is critical that laws and regulations facilitate effective relationships between health care professionals, creating systems whereby midwives and physicians can communicate openly and practice collaboratively while continuing to provide quality care that falls within each individual's professional scope of practice.
_________________________________

* Certified nurse-midwives are registered nurses who have graduated from a midwifery education program accredited by the ACNM Division of Accreditation and have passed a national certification examination administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board, Inc. (AMCB), formerly the American College of Nurse-Midwives Certification Council, Inc. (ACC).

* Certified midwives are graduates of an ACNM Division of Accreditation accredited, university affiliated midwifery education program, have successfully completed the same science requirements and AMCB national certification examination as certified nurse-midwives and adhere to the same professional standards as certified nurse-midwives.

Source: ACNM Board of Directors
Date: March, 2006

WomankindMidwifery.com and Midwife.TV are the newest of internet technologies for Certified Nurse Midwife Jeanne Prentice. A 25 year veteran to midwifery woman care.

Jeanne Prentice's Media Rep:
Territory Media
PO. Box 9
Deadwood, SD 57732
605-584-2824
www.midwife.tv

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

Healing the Birth Process: How to Maximize a baby's develoopmental potential

Jeremy — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 05:16:05 GMT

HEALING THE BIRTH PROCESS:
How to Maximize Your Baby's Developmental Potential

95% of births in America result in some level of infant shock and trauma, ranging from the normal rigors of labor to medical interventions.
These imprints can profoundly affect a baby's full developmental potential.

Learn how to recognize and resolve any negative birth imprinting and dramatically increase your baby's:
Feeling of Safety and Well-Being
Intelligence and Ability to Learn
Ability to accomplish and persevere through difficult situations
Capacity for Empathy, Joy, and Love
Physical health and coordination

Tuesday, March 27, 12:30-2:00pm
Blossom Birth Services
299 S. California Avenue, Ste. 120
Palo Alto
650-321-2326

Jeremy Goldberg, C.M.T., is a Birth Integration Specialist and Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist in Redwood City. He specializes in working with babies and families from the preconception to postpartum periods.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Hi there

Luna Gitana — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:29:40 GMT

Greetings all,
I am new to this tribe. I have been a doula for about 7 years now. Not very active of late. It seems every mother I have spoken to in the past six months has had such a fast delivery that they ended up having the baby without me. I am beginning to think I am giving them a blessing to do this as I do always pray that my mommies should have a speedy and easy delivery. I guess I should include that I get to be there with them. My last baby was six months ago. My mommy who was dues yesterday ended having her littel one on Saturday night in an emergency C. She was so hoping for a VBAC. Baby was breech for a while. She tried everything, I mean everything to get baby to turn. I even went over twice to do guided imagery and rieki to get baby to turn. He was just very comfortable. Mommy had gestational diabetes and HBP. She went to the hospital Saturday night and they started to prep her for surgery. When they called me she was already ready to go. I was so sad because mommy was very disappointed. I was also sad for me, I really love my job but this is not about me, because like I said to mommy all we want is a happy and healthy mommy and baby. So that is ultimately what happened. There is a new man child on the planet and he is happily latching on to his mother's breast. I am hoping to go visit them today to share in their joy. I just wanted to share this with you all. I do feel like crying about this whole situation and I am not sure why. I can't seem to shake it. It's feels personal to me and I know that is ridiculous. Any insight??

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 2 replies

doula training or black market babies

mike — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 00:38:16 GMT

sorry just trying to get your attention
i noticed people looking for advice on this have no replies

here goes any way
i'm going to be a doula
i live on the sunshine coast
willing to go into vancouver
please and thank you
love mike

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 3 replies

circumcision related death

22252 — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:47:06 GMT

[FWD]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_headline=7-day-old-died-after-circumcision&method=full&objectid=18623664&siteid=89520-name_page.html

Or

http://tinyurl.com/2db9x5

7-DAY-OLD DIED AFTER CIRCUMCISION
Exclusive by Stephen Moyes 15/02/2007

DETECTIVES are investigating the death of a seven-day-old baby after he
was circumcised.

Stunned relatives at the Jewish ceremony saw the toddler experience
breathing difficulties.

He was taken to hospital but died eight days later. A post mortem found
the infant died from cardiac arrest and oxygen starvation.

Police are to interview family members and the senior rabbi who performed
the operation at Golders Green Synagogue in North London. Concerns raised
by doctors treating the baby have led to the probe being led by Scotland
Yard's child abuse investigators.

Police and Home Office sources said the investigation was "highly unusual".

A Scotland Yard spokesman stated: "The death is being treated as
unexplained at this early stage."

The baby died two weeks ago at University College Hospital, Central London.

Circumcision of boys is an operation in which the foreskin is removed from
the penis. With small babies, local anaesthetic is often sufficient and
avoids the risks of a general anaesthetic.

Some people believe the skin is redundant and gets in the way of hygiene.

Others say it is a vital part of the male anatomy and should not be removed.

Judaism considers circumcision to be an important ritual. The operation is
usually performed by a mohel - a specialist in the procedure and its
rituals.

Many British mohels are doctors, rabbis or both. All have received
appropriate medical and religious training.

A spokesman for The United Synagogue, a membership of 35 orthodox
synagogues in Greater London, said: "We are awaiting the results of the
police enquiry and until then it would not be appropriate for us to
comment further."
_________________________________________________________________________

It is estimated that 200 baby boys a year die in the U.S. from circumcision complications and infections.
Circumcision must end. These needless deaths are barbaric and insane. No ritual that maims, mutilates and kills children can be tolerated in this day and age. Please pass this information along to others.

Gloria Lemay, Midwifery Educator
Vancouver BC Canada
http://www.glorialemay.com

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Anyone heard of Childbirth International?

bluoceans — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:07:46 GMT

Has anyone trained with Childbirth International? I'm considering taking their online Doula courses? Any thoughts on this?

Blessings,
Layli

ps. I also posted this in another tribe.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

CIMS forum march 07

Gamo — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:52:08 GMT

CIMS proudly invites the national and international community to participate in this dynamic event.

The 2007 CIMS Mother-Friendly Childbirth Forum will feature the debut of Coalition for Improving Maternity Services: Evidence Basis for the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care. The result of a precedent-setting research project, the review and guidelines summarize the findings of 15 years of international evidence on all aspects of Mother-Friendly care and provides professionals, advocacy groups, policy makers, and families alike with a powerful, new resource for improving the care of mothers and babies.

The CIMS Forum brings together research experts, professionals, advocates, and consumers of maternity care from the U.S. and abroad to learn and work side by side for three energizing days of collaborative education, networking, problem solving and sharing. Attendees will benefit both from formal presentations by leaders in the field, and from participation in workgroups of their choice addressing issues facing childbearing women and their families today. Attendees will gather a wealth of information, to bring home to their own practices, workplaces and communities while gaining inspiration and making and renewing connections with those who share a common interest in the health and well-being of mothers and babies.

visit the site to register and know their work

http://www.motherfriendly.org/

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Doula Needed?

Tiffany — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 21:01:46 GMT

Hi, I'm a massage therapist and aspiring doula. I need to complete 3 births at either a volunteer or low cost rate to become certified. I have one coming up in the next month and need 2 more. I have attended several births of friends but these do not count towards my certificate. I will attend 2 prenatal visits, the entire labor and delivery, 2 postpartum visits, 1 complimentery in-office prenatal massage! If you are interested, please send me an e-mail. My office is located in SW Portland. I will support you no matter where and how you decide to give birth.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 3 replies

Birth Ecology Tribe

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:21:00 GMT

Hi there!

You are invited to join the new Birth Ecology Tribe at http://tribes.tribe.net/birthecology - it's a satellite discussion tribe for the Birth Ecology Project at www.birthecology.org

Be well, Kara

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Doula training in Sacramento!

Wendy — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 17:32:17 GMT

Ready to take that step and become a doula? Or have you been attending births of family and friends, but want to learn more and get certified? ALACE is holding a training for labor doulas April 20-22 in Sacramento, CA.

The weekend-long workshop costs $425, with discounts available for early registration.

Have you already trained with ALACE or another organization? Want to expand your education and network with other women in the area? You can attend the workshop at a discount, too!

http://www.alace.org

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Birth Arts Doula Training

Thu, 11 Jan 2007 01:29:24 GMT

Birth Arts Doula Training
Dexter, OR
March 31-April 1st, 2007
www.birtharts.com

Birth Arts Doula Education Programs presents the Birth Arts Doula Training at Lost Valley Education Center, in Dexter, OR (near Eugene) March 30th - April 1st, 2007. Kara Spencer, LMT, CD, CBE and Patricia Couch, DEM, CD, CBE will be co-teaching this comprehensive holistic doula training.

Join us at Lost Valley for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum. The training includes a weekend workshop, two nights dormitory lodging, three vegetarian meals a day, an extensive workshop, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive recognition as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women's wisdom and intuition. The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

For registration or inquiries contact Kara at 541-520-0681 or kara@birtharts.com and click the link below for more info and to download a flyer, registration form, or to pay via Paypal.

Birth Arts Doula Training - Dexter, OR

www.birtharts.com
www.lostvalley.org
www.maiahealingarts.com

Birth Arts is also offering doula trainings in 2007 in Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and more! See the website for updated information.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

preemie tribe

mellea — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 23:30:13 GMT

For families who've had preemies and would like to be connected for information, support and ideas.
http://tribes.tribe.net/preemie

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Doula Training in Oakland, California!!

Cornerstone Doula Trainings — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 23:17:39 GMT

Cornerstone Doula Trainings begin November 3rd and classes are still open for registration!!!
Our trainings are very comprehensive, very unique, and very intensive. The beginning course is three weekends in November, and the Advanced course is the first weekend of December. Cornerstone Doula Trainings are taught by a Homebirth Midwife and a Certified Doula. We are dedicated to the principles of the midwifery model of care, and of prenatal, perinatal, and birth psychology.

To learn more about us, our trainings, and our philosophy, please check out www.cornerstonedoulatrainings.com or email us at: info@cornerstonedoulatrainings.com

Thanks,
Nickie Tilsner, CD

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

Birth Ecology

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 00:41:52 GMT

Hello,

You are invited to participate in the Birth Ecology Project. A new website, journal, and initiative promoting midwifery, doula care, gentle birth, conscious parenting, and sustainable living.

Check out the website and journal at www.BirthEcology.org ...

We are seeking contributions of articles, essays, stories, and art related to the above listed topics. Contact kara (at) maiahealingarts.com for more info.

Be well, Kara

"Healing the Earth, through Healing Birth" - Jeannine Parvati Baker

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

Listening to Mothers II Survey now available!

22252 — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 14:59:52 GMT

Grassroots Network Message 610034

Listening to Mothers II Survey now available!

Dear Friends,

Carol Sakala of Childbirth Connection (www.childbirthconnection.org) wrote to us:

We are very excited to announce availability of the Listening to Mothers II report, with results of our national survey of women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals in 2005. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive, and carried out in partnership with Lamaze International.

On the website, you can find a press release and the Executive Summary available as pdf files. If you are interested in the entire report, you can purchase a survey report (PDF or paperbound version) at http://www.childbirthconnection.org/listeningtomothers/

Please note that your purchase of the Report helps to support Childbirth Connection and the very useful resources they make freely available on their website.

Carol also writes:

In 2007, Childbirth Connection will release:
1. a companion report, with results of a follow-up survey with Listening to Mothers II participants focusing on their postpartum experiences
2. Recommendations based on results of this rich combined database, and
3. initial quarterly Listening to Mothers II briefs with timely in-depth coverage of key survey topics.

You can register or log in to My Connection at http://www.childbirthconnection.org/login.asp to receive email notification when the postpartum survey and recommendations are available (newsletter option).

I have pasted the Press Release below, which gives highlights of the results of the study! These results of this survey provide documentation about the state of maternity care today and should prove useful in promoting the Midwives Model of Care and the need for normal birth and evidence-based birth practices!

Sincerely,

Susan Hodges, “gatekeeper”

CHILDBIRTH
CONNECTION

Since 1918

Helping women and health professionals

make informed maternity care decisions.

Contact: Eileen Masciale

631-665-2163

ejmpr@optonline.net

Technology-Intensive Childbirth is the Norm for

Great Majority of Primarily Healthy Women

-- Listening to Mothers II: Second National Survey of Women’s Childbearing Experiences, Shows that U.S. Maternity Care System Fails to Provide the Care that Mothers Want and that is in Best Interest of Themselves and their Babies --

NEW YORK, NY, October 24, 2006 – Although the great majority of pregnant women in the U.S. are healthy and have good reason to anticipate uncomplicated childbirth, Childbirth Connection’s new Listening to Mothers II survey shows that technology-intensive childbirth care is the norm. The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive for Childbirth Connection, in partnership with Lamaze International. The national survey polled 1,573 women who gave birth in 2005 and found that most mothers experienced numerous labor and birth interventions with various degrees of risk that may be of benefit for mothers with specific conditions, but are inappropriate as routine measures. Overall, survey mothers experienced the following interventions: electronic fetal monitoring (94%), intravenous drip (83%), epidural or spinal analgesia (76%), one or more vaginal exams (75%), urinary catheter (56%), membranes broken after labor began (47%), and synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin) to speed up labor (47%).

Additionally, more than four out of ten mothers (41%) reported that their caregiver tried to induce their labor. When asked if the induction caused labor to begin, more than four out of five of those women (84%) indicated that it did, resulting in an overall provider induction rate of 34%. Among all survey mothers whose providers tried to start their labors, 79% cited one or more medical reasons for being induced, while 35% cited one or more non-medical reasons. Overall, 11% of mothers reported experiencing pressure from a health professional to have labor induction, and those reporting pressure were more likely to have had it.

Listening to Mothers II was conducted in January and February 2006. It provides health professionals, payors, policymakers, hospitals and women and families with an unprecedented look at experiences of childbearing women and their infants. It also gives all of these groups a basis for improving conditions for mothers and babies by comparing their actual experiences to their preferred experiences, to care to which they are legally entitled, to care supported by best evidence, and to optimal outcomes.

“The data show many mothers and babies experienced inappropriate care that does not reflect the best evidence, as well as other undesirable circumstances and adverse outcomes. This sounds alarm bells,” said Maureen Corry, executive director of Childbirth Connection. “Few healthy, low-risk mothers require technology-intensive care when given good support for physiologic labor. Yet, the survey shows that the typical childbirth experience has been transformed into a morass of wires, tubes, machines and medications that leave healthy women immobilized, vulnerable to high levels of surgery and burdened with physical and emotional health concerns while caring for their newborns.”

Survey Reveals Gaps Between Actual and More Optimal Experiences and Outcomes

Listening to Mothers II identified many gaps between their experiences, their desires and best medical practice. For example:

· Within this largely healthy population, four labors in ten were started artificially and one mother in three had a cesarean.

· A great majority (85%) felt that a woman who wants a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) should be able to make that decision, but most women who were interested in a VBAC were denied this option by their caregiver (45%) or hospital (23%).

· Virtually all of the mothers asked felt that they should be informed about all (78% and 81%) or most (19% and 17%) of the complications related to labor induction and cesarean, respectively, before deciding to have these interventions, yet the majority of mothers were poorly informed about several complications of labor induction and cesarean section and most had incorrect knowledge or were not sure.

· Among the vaginal birth mothers who experienced episiotomies (25%), only 18% stated that they had been given a choice about it.

Safe and Effective Care Practices Were Under Used

In addition to overuse of interventions, the survey showed a striking under use of several care practices known to be safe and effective, and especially appropriate for healthy, low-risk women. Only a small proportion of women experienced these beneficial practices, including use of highly rated drug-free methods of pain relief (e.g., immersion in a tub, shower, use of large "birth ball"), monitoring the baby with handheld devices instead of electronic fetal monitoring, drinking fluids or eating during labor, moving about during labor, giving birth in non-supine positions, and pushing guided only by their own reflexes rather than caregiver-directed pushing.

“These findings are of particular concern,” notes Judith Lothian, PhD, of Lamaze International. “The care practices that promote, protect and support normal birth appear to be unavailable to the vast majority of childbearing women in the United States.”

Cesarean Section: Making the Decision and the Implications

Despite considerable media attention to the concept of “maternal request cesarean,” this systematic national sample of mothers found that the phenomenon barely existed in 2005. Less than one-half of 1% (1 woman out of 252) of mothers in the survey who had a first-time cesarean reported that they had requested it themselves. Another contention – that vaginal birth is a threat to a mother’s pelvic floor – also had not been embraced by the mothers in the survey, with far less than 1% of mothers who had either a first or repeat cesarean citing this as the reason for their cesarean.

Study director Eugene Declercq, PhD, of the Boston University School of Public Health, explained, “The survey found scant evidence of maternal request cesareans. Rather, mothers indicated that the primary decision-maker concerning their cesarean was their care provider, either during or before labor. In contrast to an image of doctors pressured by mothers to perform a cesarean, one-fourth (25%) of those mothers who had a cesarean indicated that they felt pressure from a health professional to undergo their cesarean. This hardly supports the theory that the rapidly rising cesarean rate is based on maternal request. Research is needed into the complex interplay between mothers and their doctors regarding cesarean decision-making to better understand why the U.S. cesarean rate has escalated 41% in the past decade.”

Pain and Its Impact on Postpartum Health

Mothers with cesareans described how abdominal surgery had a big impact on their postpartum health. More than three-quarters (79%) reported pain at the site of the incision in the two months after birth, with 33% citing it as a major problem, and18% of those with a cesarean had ongoing pain at the site of the cesarean scar at least 6 months after giving birth.

Mothers with a cesarean were also twice as likely to report that postpartum pain interfered with their daily life than did mothers with vaginal deliveries with 22% describing that pain interfered "quite a bit" or “extremely” with routine activities compared to 10% of mothers with a vaginal birth.

Missed Opportunities

Given the increased recognition of the importance of the period before and between pregnancies, and the conditions under which women enter pregnancy, the data shows that there are deficiencies in care that could potentially lead to less optimal outcomes for mothers and babies.

Alarmingly, about half of the mothers surveyed had a body mass index considered to be “overweight” (25%) or “obese” (24%) and most mothers did not visit a healthcare provider to plan for a healthy pregnancy.

Less than half (47%) of mothers reported being asked during pregnancy about feelings of depression and only one-third (35%) were asked about physical or verbal abuse. However, more than three-quarters of providers (76%) did discuss signs of premature labor with the women and mothers reported being confident in their ability to recognize them.

Despite the importance of early contact for attachment and breastfeeding, most babies were not in their mothers’ arms during the first hour after birth, with a troubling proportion with staff for routine, non-urgent care (39%). Although 61% of the mothers wanted to breastfeed exclusively as they neared the end of their pregnancy, just 51% of all mothers were doing so one week after birth, a troubling missed opportunity.

On the positive side, most mothers learned of their pregnancies in the early weeks of their pregnancy, started prenatal care well within the first trimester and saw the same provider throughout the pregnancy. Nearly all mothers (96%) reported having received supportive care (comfort, emotional support, information) while in labor from at least one person, most often husbands/partners or the nursing staff.

Information Seeking

During pregnancy, mothers sought information about pregnancy and birth through a variety of sources, with first-time mothers naming books (33%) as their primary information source, followed by friends and relatives (19%), their provider (18%) and the Internet (16%), while experienced mothers named as their leading information source their own past experience (48%), followed by their doctor or midwife (18%), the Internet (13%) and books (12%). Fully two-thirds (68%) had watched one or more of eight television shows specially created to depict childbirth, with more than half of the viewers regularly watching at least one of these shows. Far more mothers were exposed to childbirth through TV shows than through childbirth education classes. Only one-fourth (25%) of women reported taking childbirth education classes during their most recent pregnancy, with a majority (56%) of new mothers taking classes, while only one in eleven (9%) experienced mothers took classes. As women neared the end of pregnancy, most felt confident, but a majority also felt fearful about their upcoming birth.

Mothers and Employment

Listening to Mothers II also explored mothers’ experiences with paid work and childbirth and found mothers under considerable stress to balance employment and family obligations. More than half the mothers (58%) reported being employed during pregnancy, working on average until 10 days before the due date. Only half the mothers who were employed full-time received paid maternity leave. Most mothers (57%) who were employed during pregnancy returned to work by 12 weeks after the birth of their baby. Less than half the mothers (46%) indicated they were able to stay at home as long as they liked.

More than one-third (37%) of mothers reported having to pay for some of their maternity care costs out-of-pocket, with an average expenditure for this group of $1,000.

About the Survey

Harris Interactive® conducted Listening to Mothers II: The Second National U.S. Survey of Women’s Childbearing Experiences on behalf of Childbirth Connection. The survey consisted of 1,373 online and 200 telephone interviews with women who had given birth in a hospital to a single live baby in 2005, with weighting of data to reflect the target population. The weighting included propensity scores, to adjust for the propensity to be online, a methodology developed and validated by Harris Interactive. Interviews were conducted from January 20 through February 21, 2006, and the survey took approximately 30 minutes to complete. The Listening to Mothers II survey will also serve as the basis for quarterly issue briefs that will explore in greater detail the key issues described in the report.

About Childbirth Connection
Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Childbirth Connection has grown from a small group of influential community leaders that was successful in reducing maternal and infant deaths in New York City, to a nationally recognized advocacy organization working to promote high-quality maternity care. Childbirth Connection is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families. Our mission is to promote safe, effective and satisfying maternity care for all women and their families through research, education and advocacy. More information about Childbirth Connection may be obtained at www.childbirthconnection.org.

About Lamaze International

Since its founding in 1960, Lamaze International has worked to promote, support and protect normal birth through education and advocacy through the dedicated efforts of professional childbirth educators, providers and parents. An international organization with regional, state and area affiliates, its members and volunteer leaders include childbirth educators, nurses, nurse midwives, physicians, students and consumers. More information about Lamaze International may be obtained at www.lamaze.org.

# # #

Note to editors: For a complete copy of the report, including executive summary, mothers’ verbatim quotes, tables and charts, and comparison of Listening to Mothers II survey results and federal vital and health statistics, please contact Katie Hellmuth at hellmuth@childbirthconnection.org. The survey questionnaire can be found on the Childbirth Connection web site at www.childbirthconnection.org/listeningtomothers

=================================================================

SHARE WITH OTHERS IN YOUR AREA!

Feel free to forward the Grassroots Network messages to others who might be interested!

HOW TO JOIN THE GRASSROOTS NETWORK LIST

Visit the Citizens for Midwifery website at www.cfmidwifery.org .

Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your e-mail address. It's that simple!

GET INVOLVED!

Are you interested in volunteering with some dynamic women in a supportive environment?

Help CfM promote the Midwives Model of Care!

We have many ways to get more involved ~ committees, state and regional representatives,

and smaller tasks that will help CfM grow stronger and become more effective.

Get in touch with us!

=================================================================

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Yoruba Calendar in three languages

Obafemi — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 15:33:04 GMT

Greetings,

This is a friendly announcement of the FIRST EVER Yoruba Calendar in three languages:

* Yoruba,
* English and
* Spanish.

This is the MOST COMPLETE Yoruba calendar, featuring

* the traditional four day, lunar worship calendar AND
* the seven day Gregorian Calendar.
* Yoruba proverbs,
* Odu Ifa, and more

This calendar will help you to:

* calibrate your worship with the traditional Yoruba calendar
* select the most auspiscious days for spiritual work
* learn a little bit of Yoruba, English and Spanish!

To order this full color, POSTER-SIZED wall calendar send a check or money order for $10.00 US dollars plus shipping & handling to:

IFE, inc.
PO Box 18941
Oakland, CA 94619
510-485-2336
YorubaSchool@yahoo.com

*Wholesale prices also available.
For more information, visit:

http://www.geocities.com/iwalewaimports/

Obafemi Origunwa, MA: President, IFE inc.
Phone: from the USA 510-536-4468 or 510-485-2336
Tel. de Mexico 044-228-138-7682 from USA to MEX 011-52-228-138-7682
Email: YorubaSchool@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.geocities.com/yorubaschool/

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Winter Camp: ¡FOLKLORICO!

Obafemi — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 20:01:58 GMT

Camp Iwalewa is a unique arts and outdoor camp that combines folklore and the arts with ecology and nature studies. Camp Iwalewa provides a fun way for students to think creatively, as well as critically. Our hands-on nature and art projects connect children to their imaginations and the natural world at the same time. Camp Iwalewa helps instill a deep caring attitude about creating sustainable global cultures.

Bienvenidos. Welcome. We're heading South for the Winter. Camp Iwalewa's Winter Camp theme is ¡FOLKLORICO!, a fully bilingual Spanish-English experience that will expose students to the performance arts of Latin Ameica and the Caribbean. We will have daily walking field trips to the Oakland Public Library as well as Lake Merrit!!!

Malonga Casquelourd Arts Center
1428 Alice Street, Oakland, CA 94612
(2 blocks from the Oakland Public
Library Main Branch

Hours
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
After Care 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Camp Cost - Registration
$50.00 non-refundable registration fee per week
** registration fee is not applied to tuition
$200.00 weekly
Sibling Discount: 20% for second sibling.
After Care $50.00 weekly

Obafemi Origunwa, MA: President, IFE inc.
Phone: from the USA 510-536-4468 or 510-485-2336
Tel. de Mexico 044-228-138-7682 from USA to MEX 011-52-228-138-7682

Email: YorubaSchool@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.geocities.com/yorubaschool/

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

FREE introduction to Cornerstone Doula Trainings Wed Oct 18th!! Spread the word!!

Cornerstone Doula Trainings — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 01:26:22 GMT

We will be hosting a FREE introduction to Cornerstone Doula Trainings/ Doula information evening on Wed. Oct. 18th at 7pm in Oakland!! This evening is perfect for anyone interested in becoming a doula, wanting to learn more about what a doula is, or anyone who has already taken a doula training but would like further education!!

From our website:
"Support is the cornerstone of a fulfilling birth experience. Blending the old traditions and wisdom of childbirth with the most up to date and progressive information about the physiology and psychology of childbirth for mom, partner and baby; Cornerstone Doula Trainings will prepare you for the very significant commitment that all doulas make in helping families start their lives together in the most gentle and loving way. "

For more information about us, please visit www.cornerstonedoulatrainings.com or email us at: info@cornerstonedoulatrainings.com

To RSVP for our info eve and get address and directions, please email us at: info@cornerstonedoulatrainings.com or call us at: (510) 452-3860.

Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you!
New classes are scheduled for November and are open for registration now!!

Sincerely,
Nickie Tilsner, CD, CE
Co-founder - Co-trainer of Cornerstone Doula Trainings

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Doula Training in Oakland, CA

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 04:54:28 GMT

There is a 12 week training in Oakland, CA beginning October 14th. The facilitator is Rev. L. Samsarah Bucknell. She is looking for a few more women to join the training. Website info: http://milagros.org/professioaldoula.htm. The dates on the website are incorrect, but all other information is right.

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Fort Wayne Doula

Jordan — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 11:43:40 GMT

Hello all! Just joined the group and wanted to identify myself. :) Can't wait to discuss with you! :)

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Sierra Leone: Black Midwives' Conference

Obafemi — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 00:59:46 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

5TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BLACK MIDWIVES AND HEALERS CONFERENCE

Contact:

Sarahn Henderson

Conference Coordinator

770-997-7088

iyasarahn@yahoo.com

Shafia M. Monroe

President/CEO

503-460-9324

ICTC@blackmidwives.org

www.blackmidwives.org

Sierra Leone Midwives Delegation to Present at the 5th Annual International Black Midwives and Healers Conference

The International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC) will host its 5th Annual International Black Midwives and Healers Conference, â€œRising from the Ashes; The Resurrection of a Community: Listener, Healer, Nurturerâ€, will take place in beautiful Phoenix , AZ , October 13-15, 2006. We will be at the elegant Hilton Phoenix Airport Hotel, in the heart of Phoenix . The conference is being co-sponsored by the Phoenix Birthing Project and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. â€œWe are very excited about this historic collaboration, and the opportunity to focus national attention on the devastating affects of infant mortality in our communitiesâ€, said Shafia M. Monroe, President, ICTC.

African Americans babies still have the highest death rate of any race in this country; the national average for white America is 5 infant deaths per 1000 babies and 14 infant deaths per 1000 for African American babies. The Black midwife has a legacy of combating this problem, historically, she provided culturally based prenatal care, taught sound nutrition, built self-esteem, supported breastfeeding and welcomed and loved the father, keeping him connected to his growing unborn baby. The services of Black midwives are still needed and ICTC through this educational conference seeks to support and foster the resurgence of Black midwives who are once again filling the void.

The International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC) is an African centered infant mortality prevention, pregnancy support and midwife training organization, established in 1991. Our mission is to improve birth outcomes in the black community, promote breastfeeding and increase the number of Black midwives to enhance family health.

The 5th Annual International Black Midwives and Healers Conference will draw healthcare practitioners from around the world including Haiti , Africa, Canada and the Caribbean . This yearâ€™s participants will benefit not just from the varied workshops on prenatal care and infant mortality prevention, but also from the more interactive sessions like the Doula, Doula, Doula-Workshop where attendees learn how to help clients feel their best while pregnant and in labor; the panel discussion from the Sierra Leone Midwives Delegation; grant writing to fund vital community programs and services; the youth may want to attend Sistah Care, a teen tract for girls aspiring to be midwives; share your birth stories by the pool; join the Barber Shop for Dads; bring cloth for the head wrapping and baby tying session; claim your intuition, and view the famous Bringin in Da Spirit Documentary, with producer, Rhonda L. Haynes, and commentary by Phylisha Rashad, and so much more.

One again the conference showcases some of the most renowned practitioners in the health field including, Makeda Kamara, MPH, Midwife, Jewel Crawford, M.D, Barbara Freeman, MPH, Kimberley Traylor, MA, Lactation Specialist, Roberta Eaglehorse, Doula, and Shafia M. Monroe, President/CEO of ICTC and many other dynamic presenters.

In addition to workshops on Friday and Saturday, this yearâ€™s keynote speakers will be Dr. Kathryn Hall, Founder of Birthing Project USA , and Ina May Gaskin, CPM, and best seller author of Spiritual Midwifery, and Saturday will culminate with a celebration and Gala Banquet.

To register for this conference visit www.blackmidwives.org or call 503/460-9324.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

National Advocates for Pregnant Women - NATIONAL SUMMIT

22252 — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 23:17:53 GMT

August 20, 2006
General Summit Information:

NATIONAL SUMMIT TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND HUMANITY OF PREGNANT AND BIRTHING WOMEN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2007
- ATLANTA GA

Great News! Full Information about registering for and getting to the summit is now available at

http://AdvocatesForPregnantWomen.org/

Traducción de Inglese a Español. Por favor ponerse en contacto con nosotros via email:
regitration@advocatesforpregnantwomen.org para indice si usted nececita un intérprete durante la conferencia o necesita la información de la conferencia en Español.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

The Birthing Business Institute (xpost)

Marilyn — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:05:28 GMT

Just passing along the info that Sheri Menelli is holding another
Business 101 for Birthing Professionals class starting Sept 5. Most of
you have probably heard of The Birthing Business Institute and Sheri
Menelli by now, but if not, Sheri has started BBI to help Midwives,
Doulas, CBEs, prenatal yoga instructors, postpartum doulas etc to
successfully market their business and increase their income. She was
a CBE, so she understands the passion behind what we do, but also
understands that we also have to support ourselves. The class is a 4
week class held as a teleconference, and then is recorded on audio cds
which are sent to you when the class ends. She also offers a bonus
private coaching session which I believe is 50 minutes. BBI offers a
100% money-back guaruntee. Here is the link for those interested:

[url]http://www.birthing business. com/cmd.php? Clk=1490450[/url]

I'm posting this around the birth boards because I want to help spread
the word. Trying to post in enough places to get the word out without
being on too many to annoy those of us who belong to several! I think
it's great that there is finally something out there like this. We are
all passionate about what we do, and some of us have booming practices
and need no help with business and marketing... the rest of us on the
other hand are not business-minded, and could use some help. I know I
was looking for help with this when I started, but really couldn't
find much.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

what are we charging?

Nicole — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 06:16:47 GMT

I'm just curious. Here in Portland, I'm pretty sure the going rate is $500 for birth doula services and $25 per hour for post partum doula services.
That's what I charge.
My birth doula services also include a pre- and post- birth visit.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Mexican Medicinal Plants: Pregnancy & Childbirth

Obafemi — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 02:49:59 GMT

Blessings to you all...

My name's Femi. I am a Yoruba priest in the SF Bay Area. Part of my practice is herbal medicine. I am on my way back to Veracruz, Mexico to collect medicinal plants and products from midwives and shamen.

If you, or someone you know is interested in traditional Mexican herbs/herbal products associated with pregnancy or childbirth, please contact me ASAP and I will happily acquire them for you. I also have access to traditional West African herbal medicines. In any case, may it be well with you.

Femi
510-485-2336
YorubaSchool@yahoo.com
www.geocities.com/yorubaschool

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Free introduction to Cornerstone Doula Trainings August 25th

Cornerstone Doula Trainings — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 23:27:25 GMT

BECOME A DOULA
SUPPORT WOMEN THROUGH PREGNANCY, CHILDBIRTH, AND POSTPARTUM!!

Please join us for a FREE introduction to Cornerstone Doula Trainings and information evening!!

These very unique and comprehensive trainings are dedicated to the principles of the midwifery model of care and prenatal, perinatal, and birth psychology. These trainings would be perfect for anyone wanting to get into birth work, anyone interested in becoming a doula, and even people who have already taken a doula training and feel that they need further education!

Where: Jade Monkey Acupuncture Clinic
110 Gough ..202 @ Page St. in San Francisco
When: Friday, August 25th at 7:00pm

RSVP: info@cornerstonedoulatrainings.com or at
(510) 452-3860

More info? www.cornerstonedoulatrainings.com

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Doula Training? Fort Wayne,IN..

bluoceans — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 02:13:19 GMT

Does anyone know of any Doula training in Fort Wayne,IN?

Blessings,
Layli

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Somoli doulaing

jschwierking — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 21:26:28 GMT

I am looking for information from anyone who has experience or information working with circumcised women from Islamic African counties. I have a few friends who I am speaking with, but any extra information would surely help!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

Free Suzanne Swift tribe! Please join!!!

mermaid — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 03:16:12 GMT

Hello dear doulas..help me bring my daughter home.

Suzanne and I were together this weekend trying to figure out how to get more people to help us get her free of the Army. If you do not know what happened to her, check out suzanneswift.org
She deserves to come home. Her mental/emotional and spiritual health is starting to deteriorate and I am scared for her. She needs the trauma healing that an Iraq Vet who has been raped deserves.

Peace and let's show our support for Suzanne by making this a huge tribe full of love, support and ACTION for her.
Thank you all...

Sara

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Frist time mom needs advice, please help!

Satan_Sarah — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 19:09:26 GMT

Hullo every one, My name is sarah And I'm pregnet with my first child. unfortunitly where I live gov. medical asstistance dosn't cover midwives, so I've been seeing an OBGYN durring my pregnacy. He's a twit, and the nurses at this clinic seem to worship him. this would be fine and dandy because I've already made it abundinly clear how I want my pregnacy and birth handled. But there is always a snag in the plan. I've had a chronic UTI for about the past month and a half, I'm on my fourth round of drugs for it, and have been taking cranberry pills and juice bo boot. (the Dr. says this won't affect the meds). this last round of drugs he put me acctualy has a warrning to pregnent women to be carfull taking and only to use it under extream curcumstances.
the point is: I'm tired of listing to them, but I don't know anyone close who knows anything about alternives to thease drugs. Dose anyone here have any sugesstions on where I should look for anything that could help me? can you help me? please?

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 4 replies

Free information evening about Cornerstone Doula Trainings

Cornerstone Doula Trainings — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 02:56:44 GMT

Hello all!
Juli Tilsner and I will be hosting a free introduction to our doula trainings/ information evening on Thursday, July 20th at 7:00pm. It will take place at More Mojo Chiropractic Studios in San Francisco at 1347 Church St. c/s Clipper. I am already getting a lot of sign ups, so if any of you would be interested in attending, please email me with your RSVP at nickie@cornerstonedoulatrainings.com

If you would like more info about our trainings, please visit www.cornerstonedoulatrainings.com

Thank you all!
Nickie Tilsner, CD

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

New here!

Veronica — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 23:27:29 GMT

Hi there. I've often wondered how nice it would be to be a mid-wife. But what is a doula?

D

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

WHAT IS A DOULA?????

Veronica — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 04:49:32 GMT

Very curious and a bit confused. Please clear the air for me. Thanks.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

perinatal psychology workshop on cortes island, B.C., Canada

mandai — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 00:44:34 GMT

Hello all -

This is a revolutionary new way of looking at life in the womb. Judyth is still looking for enough participants to put on the workshops. Please read further and contact her for more information.

PERINATAL PSYCHOLOGY AND THERAPY for HEALTH & HEALING

workshops offered by

Judyth O. Weaver, Ph.D.
July 17-21, 2006 on Cortes Island, B.C. Canada

And Sept 1-5, 2006 through Hollyhock Retreat Centre

As an early searcher I studied and benefited from many forms of art and psychology but there were still deep parts, unexplained feelings, connections I could not understand. I worked in many bodymind integrative modes but the deepest questions were not addressed until I came to the field of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology.

This fastest growing branch of psycholgy has grown from research that shows how prenates and neonates feel, have consciousness, have memories and respond specifically to their experiences; and how adults unconsciously remember and base their actions and reactions throughout their lives on these early experiences.

The pioneering work of Dr. Frank Lake, followed by Drs. Eva Reich, William Emerson, Ray Castellino (and even earlier research and psychotherapy by Dr. Wilhelm Reich in the 1940â€™s and by Sir John Bowlby on attachment in the 1950â€™s) demonstrate the importance of this. It also follows the focus of Drs Frederick Leboyar and Michel Odent in Europe and of Igor Charkovsky in Russia who have worked towards more natural, non-violent births. Current research in the neurosciences and other related fields are supporting and helping clarify these findings.

The amount of connection and consciousness during pregnancy as well as bonding and attachment in the early days after birth makes a great difference in how the infant will thrive or not. It affects how love and intimacy are engendered between infant and parent, and even how parents and siblings will relate to each other. These experiences are proven to affect the quality of life not just for the child itself but for the entire family, nuclear and extended, as well.

Information coming from many disciplines now proves the importance in a personâ€™s life of the quality of conception, the nine months of gestation, and the process of the birth itself as well as the early times in infancy. All have great affect on how the child is welcomed and related to at the beginning, which, in turn, affects greatly not only early childhood and development, but continues all the way through our lives into adulthood. Evidence confirms that many health issues â€“ physical, mental, emotional and spiritual â€“ are linked to prenatal and birth experiences and parent-infant bonding.

Patterns for ones ability to deal with stress and trauma are also laid down in these early times. They inform us and follow us throughout our lives. These early patterns that go so deep develop while we are pre-verbal. If these patterns are traumatic much of the work to resolve such trauma needs to engage on the pre-verbal level.

Participants in this workshop will explore In an experiential format embryological and infant development, the effects of various life occurrences, ways to promote healthy births, and protocols for therapeutic interventions and repairing trauma. This workshop will teach listening, acknowledging, attuning, somatically tracking movement patterns and the fluctuation of the nervous system; thereby offering the support that may not have been there in the past.

This may have deep, profound affects and may offer resolution to issues that have seemed to resist other therapeutic attempts.

This workshop will include discussion, individual process and practicing practical tools for integrating one's insights and discoveries. The work can be important to therapists, teachers, social workers, parents, parents-to-be, those trying to conceive, and anyone who works with people or who wants to learn more about themselves.

I have found it to be invaluable to deeply understand myself and to be able to assist others in their personal journeys.

I would be honored if you would join me in this incredible exploration of birth, being, body, soul and spirit.

*************************************************************

Judyth O. Weaver, Ph.D. has trained extensively in the field of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Therapy. She has studied with Eva Reich, M.D., William Emerson, Ph.D., has completed Dr. Ray Castellinoâ€™s Prenatal and Birth Therapy training, has assisted him, is co-facilitating a training in Nelson, B.C. and is certified to lead Castellino Process Workshops.

Tuition: US$390/Can$445 Meals and Accommodation extra

July workshop: register with Judyth: 415-388-3151 orjudyth@judythweaver.com after July 4: 250-935-8500.

September workshop: register with Hollyhock: 800-933-6339 or registration@hollyhock.ca

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Free Chat for Doulas with guest speaker

Marilyn — Wed, 14 Jun 2006 21:23:57 GMT

Hi Ladies, I wanted to let everyone know that there is going to be a live chat tonight at 9pm EST/6pm PST on www.alldoulas.com I think you have to register for it, but it is free. The guest speaker is Sheri Menelli who is an author and also a business mentor for birthing professionals. ALACE girls will recognize her as she did a business teleseminar recently for alace. Anyway the topic of the chat isn't actually about business, it's "How to reduce fear in your clients". I thought it would be interesting

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Looking For LA Doulas

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 18:25:02 GMT

Last minute request for a dear friend due July 10th in the LA area. She is currently interviewing. Please tribe mail me with a description and contact info if you are interested and available!
many thanks and blessings....

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

Hello, all!

Cornerstone Doula Trainings — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 06:05:48 GMT

I would love to introduce myself to all of you!!
My name is Nickie Tilsner and I am a certified doula with six years' practice, Harm reduction practitioner/HIV test counselor for homeless youth, midwifery student, daughter of a homebirth midwife, and a first time expecting mama!! My newest venture is a very unique and comprehensive doula training that my mother and I are writing and teaching in San Francisco. Please check out my website and pass it along to anyone who would be interested!!!

www.cornerstonedoulatrainings.com

I would love any feedback or comments.
Thanks again, and I look forward to networking with all of you amazing ladies!!

--NIckie Tilsner, CD

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Reno Midwife?

MonyadDyad — Mon, 08 May 2006 17:56:10 GMT

I am looking for a midwife in reno that does home births, I am already 33 weeks, been seeing an OB but really turned off about a hospital birth since I am low risk, young and in good shape. All tests are normal so far and past family births have been relatively normal. This will be my first. Please if you know anyone in Reno that I can hire I really want to get this set.
Thanks

Nora and baby Aaron

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

mother and doula

jerushah — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 23:20:50 GMT

i finished my doula training over a year ago, but found out i was pregnant two weeks after completion of the program. i attended my first birth when i was five months pregnant, and was hooked, but due to pregnancy and motherhood, i haven't been able to begin actively seeking doula work. my mother is moving to the area in two months, and this will be a great help, as i have few friends and no family in the area. any advice on getting started?

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 3 replies

looking for REAL I.U.D. info... please help

Ameeeeeelia — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 14:12:23 GMT

So, i had my beautiful little girl (Aurora Unis Gilley) 7 weeks ago, and i have an appointment with a government midwife (oxymoron?) to get an IUD inserted on monday. i have searched high and low for info on how IUD's affect you energetically, but no one thinks to publish that information... most people i know who i ask about it have never heard about it and think it's a bad idea when i describe it, but can't explain why they think that. i do know one girl who has it and loves it, but i don't know... i feel a little uneasy, since i won't even drink out of plastic, so why should i have it inside? i do like the no hormone thing, and know that 94% of women not on birth control get pregnant again within a year of giving birth. does anyone know ANYTHING about IUD's?

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Free Yoga Class in LA

ashtangaeverwhere — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 04:28:19 GMT

Hi Friends -

i am really excited to announce that i can now offer your first class free with me, if you are new to the studios i am teaching at.

My schedule is posted on my tribe page - and the owners of Karuna Yoga and Bala Yoga (beautiful folks) have both agreed to let me invite students to take my first class free. If you want a free class pass, please let me know and i will get it in your hands.

I am happy to invite all of Los Angeles to check out what i do - these classes are all Introductions to Ashtanga Yoga - they are beneficial for all levels of practitioners. If you are an advanced student, i guarantee you will learn something new about your primary series practice in my class - if you have never done yoga before, i can work with you to get the most out of this experience by increasing your sensitivity and awareness in each breath and getting your body moving in a way that is appropriate for your level. I am also experienced in working with folks who are dealing with injuries – illnesses or extremely stressful situations.

I am hoping to be teaching mysore style ashtanga yoga soon here in LA - and i am looking for a space in downtown LA or near Hollywood to start an afternoon practice where i can work simultaneously with students of all levels on cultivating a consistent daily practice... if you know of a good space, please let me know!

And while i have your attention - i am actively seeking to WORK. Teaching yoga in LA town pays very very little and gas just keeps getting more expensivo. I am happy to work privately with anyone who wants to learn ashtanga yoga - i am an excellent Raw Food counselor - Intuitive Coach - structural Bodyworker and teacher of meditation and pranayama. If you need me and i can help you lets find a way to work together!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

I am going to be a GRAMA!!

mermaid — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 02:13:01 GMT

How exciting that now I get to help my daughter have her baby! I am so thrilled and am doing even more research than ever on having everything in order for her. She wants to have a water birth and a midwife. It is so amazing to see my wild child mellow out and shift into a momma who wants to do everything right for her birth and her baby. I am so proud!
xoxoxxo
Grama mermaid

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 7 replies

(Newspaper Article) Grandma doesn't train midwives; master's programs do

Magic — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 06:23:56 GMT

Thought a few of you would find this interesting. MH

Article from: The Star Press, Muncie, Indiana
www.thestarpress.com/apps/pb.../article
Originally published February 20, 2006

MUNCIE -- Tiffany Branam was six months pregnant with her son Josiah when she first met Shane Hirst, the certified nurse midwife at the Voss Center for Women.

"I had been reading a lot about natural birth and I decided that I wanted to do it that way," Branam said.

After paying visits to Hirst's office for prenatal care, Branam bravely went through an all-natural birth at Ball Memorial Hospital, while having Hirst with her every step of the way during labor.

With a warm and bubbly personality, Hirst is the only certified nurse midwife who has privileges at BMH.

Before she started her practice last summer, local expecting mothers had the option to go to Expectations Women's Health and Childbearing Center, which is run by certified nurse midwives.

Hirst, who like other CNMs, works with normal or low-risk pregnancies, has brought another option for expecting moms who want natural delivery, the security of the hospital environment, and the continuous attention of a midwife.

"It's the best of both worlds," said Cheryl Pfeiffer, another one of the Hirst's patients who recently gave birth to her son Kaeden Christopher at BMH.

"It was like having a baby at home. There's someone there who breathes with you, but you have the safety net of the hospital," Pfeiffer said while breast feeding her day-old son at her hospital room.

Nurse midwives do more than "catching the baby"

Certified nurse midwives stay with their patients throughout the labor process, coaching them, and helping them cope with labor pains.
At BMH, Hirst uses a bath tub or a birthing ball, in addition to recommending various positions to help ease the labor process for her patients.

Unlike the busy obstetricians who have more than one patient at a time, nurse midwives devote their time entirely to their patient in labor, "so it's not like they come in every 20 minutes to check on you, they're there the whole time," Pfeiffer said.

And Although the patients who work with nurse midwives aim for an all-natural birth, the CNMs have the ability to order epidurals and drugs that will reduce the pain.

"(Hirst) doesn't expect everyone to go natural and she doesn't take away any of your decision-making. She just helps you make wise decisions," Pfeiffer said.

In addition, CNMs are required to be in a practice agreement with an OB/GYB, just in case some complications arise during pregnancy or birth.

Numerous studies over the past 30 years have documented the ability of nurse midwives to independently manage about 8o percent of all perinatal care -- prenatal, delivery, postpartum -- and up to 85 percent of the family planning and gynecological needs of women of all ages.

Midwifery becoming popular in U.S.

Midwifery is the standard care for women with normal or low-risk pregnancies in European countries such as England.
And it is slowly becoming popular in the U.S.

Statistics show that the number of births attended by certified nurse midwives doubled between 1990 at 2003, totaling to about 10 percent of all births.

Hirst is one of approximately 84 CNMs in Indiana. The heaviest population of CNMs so far is in Central and Northern part of the state, according to Barbara Winningham, program director of nurse midwifery education at University of Indianapolis.

UI is the first nurse midwifery masters program in Indiana, which graduated its first class in 2005.

Similar to the other 47 nurse midwifery masters programs, UI applicants are already nurses with some experience, and "if they attend the program full-time, they'll graduate in two and a half years and then they'll have to sit on a national certification board exam," Winningham explained.

The certification is followed by a state licensure exam, which gives CMS a legal right to practice in the state.

Legal issues

There are also two other groups of midwives -- certified professional midwives (CPM) and the lay midwives. Neither group has a nursing degree and hence a legal recognition has not yet been extended to them in Indiana, Winningham explained.

Regulations involving various types of midwifery vary widely from state to state and are commonly debated. An example is the recent charges against the Indianapolis CPM, Jennifer Louisa Williams, who was arrested on charges of practicing medicine without a license.
To make things more complicated, "most people don't have a clear idea of what certified nurse midwives do," said Rima Jolivet, a CNM and the senior technical advisor for the American College of Nurse Midwives.

"It's very common for people to think that nurse midwives deliver at home," she said.

But the majority of CNMs -- 97 percent -- attended deliveries in hospitals, about 2 percent in birth centers (such as the local Expectations branch), and 1 percent at home, according to data from National Center for Health Statistics.

Midwifery can be cost-effective

The addition of CNMs to OB/GYN services is cost-effective to the health care industry, "because OBs are highly specialized, but most births and pregnancies are normal," and can be handled by CNMs, Rima said.

The lower cost associated with nurse-midwifery care is due to lower rates of technological intervention, shorter length of stay in hospitals and lower payroll costs.

Contact news reporter Naseem Sowti at 213-5829.
Originally published February 20, 2006
The Star Press, Muncie, Indiana
www.thestarpress.com/apps/pb.../article

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

New Tribe for NorCal Doulas

stvalerius — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 21:45:48 GMT

Hi all,
I am a member of this tribe and am also starting another tribe with hopes for support from all the doulas in the world :)
You don't have to be in Northern California to join this tribe...we sure would love to hear from all you wonderful mommies and doulas! Our tribe site is:
http://tribes.tribe.net/norcaldoulas
Please help to make that tribe as good as this one~

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Midwives now legal in WI

Grandma — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 20:01:38 GMT

Doyle signs bills on midwives

Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. - Midwives who aren't nurses must obtain a state license under a bill
Gov. Jim Doyle signed into law Monday.

Under the law, Applicants must hold a valid professional midwife credential from the
North American Registry of Midwives or the American College of Nurse Midwives. The
state Department of Regulation and Licensing must develop rules spelling out
medications midwives can administer, such as oxygen, postpartum anti-bleeding agents
and intravenous fluids.

A licensed midwife also must disclose to clients his or her training and experience,
whether the midwife has malpractice insurance and procedures for handling medical
emergencies.

Nobody will be allowed to act as a midwife without a license or a temporary permit from
the state.

The legislation gained momentum after criminal charges were filed in the death of a child
during delivery.

*********************************************************************************************

NOTE from Grandma Midwife:

No fault was ever implied on the part of the midwife, but the prosecutor personally went after the midwife for no license, even though she was fully nationally certified and Wisconsin had no license available. We deluged Wisconsin with letters demanding that they start licensing midwives immediately to prevent bureaucratic abuses like this from happening again, and apparently they saw reason. Once in a while you win one.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

inductions happening a lot!!! why??

Nicole — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 18:56:42 GMT

What's up with OB or even Nurse-Midwives offering to induce on or even before the due date?! I've noticed this trend quite a bit. Have any of you also noticed this and why do you think it's happening? I know it is a convenient way to add an element of "control" and managability to the whole unpredictable birth process. Still, it's kind of strange, no?

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 6 replies

back up doula in the Portland area?

Nicole — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 22:14:38 GMT

I am looking for someone who could be my back up, and I'd gladly do the same for you! Let me know...

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 2 replies

inmates shackled during labor

22252 — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 05:05:56 GMT

Prisons Often Shackle Pregnant Inmates in Labor - New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/02/national/02shackles.html?hp&ex=1141362000&en=6f6390e020cbb341&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Amnesty International did a thorough state by state study of this back in the late '90s, and Sheila Kitzenger spearheaded a successful effort to correct the problem in the UK prior to that -- http://sheilakitzinger.com/

In most states, the problem can be remedied through regulatory reforms without the need for legislation. Typically, all it takes to get the ball rolling is for one citizen to petition the regulatory agency to amend the regs. I'd be glad to help with the research in any given state if anyone is interested.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

supporting a client after an epidural

Nicole — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 17:39:48 GMT

I have had this experience only three times, and each time I had to set aside my own disappointment and feelings of "if only I had done..." or, "what if i had suggested...?" and know that it's not about ME, and that birth for a doula is about support, not activism.
Still, I had an experience this past weekend where there was such a shift in energy... I didn't know what to do, really, after the epidural was in place. I went from actively "doulaing" to letting mama rest and I sat down to read. it felt weird.
has anyone else had this experience?
I reminded the mama to continue having an active birth, that she was still in labor even though she couldn't feel it, and to continue to allow her body to open and soften and labor...
any other suggestions?

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 2 replies

Anyone want to sponser a training in Kauai?

mamatoto — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 11:12:22 GMT

Anyone want to sponser a training in Kauia? Email me at blissfulcalm@earthlink.net and we shall see if we can cocreate this manifestation to bring some more assistance to the pregnant mamas over here.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

crush on my mama-client

Nicole — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 19:18:51 GMT

oooo! I know it's SO not ok for so many reasons! but has this ever happened to any of you!? I have developed quite a crush on one of my clients... she's a single mom, and maybe that's partly why I'm feeling this drift towards an intimate connection with her... she was a prenatal yoga student and then I was her doula... the birth was amazing... since there was no dad in the picture, I was able to actively participate as her doula, which was awesome... you know, there are births where basically you are just 'there," nurturing and supportive, and then there are births where you are "asked" by the situation to be "on," and really active. Anyway, I digress. I am not actively pursuing anything with regard to tis crush of mine, since post partum can be so overwhelming and the whole crush seems somewhat inappropriate! But still, has this ever happened to anyone before? Besides, I don't even know if she's "into" The Ladies or not! But I have felt some energy my way from her... I don't know, maybe it's all in my head. I had a crush on this lovely midwife friend of mine while pregnant with my 2nd, Isa. It's just such a "women's time," you know?! by the way, my deal is that I am married, but we are open, and I do, from time to time, date women, although not usually. (Just in case anyone was wondering what my story is!) However, I can see what is problematic about this particualr crush, yet I feel the way I feel!
thoughts...???

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 5 replies

Final Push Requested for WI Midwifery Legislation

22252 — Sat, 28 Jan 2006 02:05:29 GMT

Date & Time: Monday, January 30, 2006 - Tuesday, January 31, 2006
11:00 AM

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Well, the amazing has happened and our bills - AB709 and SB477 - have both been scheduled for floor votes, in the Assembly and Senate respectively, on Tuesday, January 31st.

Our grassroots supporters from all over the state are largely responsible for the progress the bills have made, and the midwives of the state cannot adequately thank you for the incredible support and help you have offered us at every turn, whenever you were asked.

Now, we must ask you for three more things:

FIRST - we still need everyone to email and/or call their legislators, to let them know that they are STRONGLY in favor of this bill and are COUNTING on their Yes vote on Tuesday. If you know that your legislator is supportive, you can thank them and ask for their leadership in persuading others in their party to vote Yes too. (And if you don't know who your legislators are, click here: http://165.189.139.210/waml/ )

Additionally, even if you feel you have contacted your legislators a lot already, but haven't done so since Wednesday, don't hesitate to contact them again. Even though we believe we have a lot of support, there are, as I write this, factions at the capitol actively working to "kill" this bill. These are influential groups with money and power to throw around, and it is possible for politicians to be swayed. We cannot afford to be complacent or overconfident. So please make SURE your legislators know what your expectations are.

SECOND - On Monday, 1/30, we will be having a Lobbying Day at the Capitol. Please come to the Capitol and register your support in person in your senator's or representative's office. A number of legislative committee members from the Wisconsin Guild of Midwives will be there to help anyone who can come. We can tell you who to see, where their office is, and what to say. We can go with you to the meeting if you like. So, if there is any way you can come on Monday to go visit your legislator's office in person, please, please do so. Especially, if you are unable to make it on Tuesday, coming on Monday is a great way to support the cause!

THIRD - On Tuesday, 1/31, we are requesting that ANYONE and EVERYONE who can take the day, please come to Madison to be present for the votes in the house and senate. Let's pack the house, like we did at the health committee hearings, and show them that this bill is important to the citizens of Wisconsin.

The time the proceedings will begin is at 11 am, on both floors, at the Capitol Building, of course. Since the two bills will be heard at the same time (potentially), we'll divide up our supporters, so that we have people in the gallery in both houses.

We don't know exactly when our bill will make it to either floor, so it's best to assume it may take all afternoon. However, in the gallery, you can come and go, so people with little ones should be comfortable knowing they won't have to sit still for long periods of time, and you'll be able to leave for food, etc.

Here's a link to a map of parking garages in the Capitol area. Pay attention to the one-way streets. www.ci.madison.wi.us/parking...Map.html

Feel free to forward this to anyone you feel would support our effort.

Hope to see lots of people on Tuesday!

With deepest gratitude,

Jan Wolfenberg
on behalf of the Wisconsin Guild of Midwives.

PS - If you somehow have not seen the information on this bill, you can read a general fact sheet on the bill at: wisconsinguildofmidwives.org/Leg....htm

The full text of the Assembly Bill can be found at www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/da...-709.pdf
and the text of the Senate bill can be found at: www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/da...477.pdf.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Looking for a holistic baby care center in the San Fernando Valley

ladylava — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 00:43:49 GMT

Hi everyone. I'm new to this tribe and my husband and I are researching our options for baby care. At the moment, we are trying to start a family and we just want to get a head start on our options so that we can be somewhat prepared when the time comes for me to go back to work.

I know, first focus on creating the baby right? Well I just want to get a little help in the right direction. So if anyone knows of any good baby care centers (preferably those that have some holistic knowledge or are open to this) near North Hollywood, Studio City, Burbank, Sherman Oaks area I would deeply appreciate your recommendation.

Thank you.
Much peace,
Tangee

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

URGENT!!! Amend AL Fetal Protection Bill

22252 — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 22:53:36 GMT

Midwifery advocates in AL recently became aware of a fetal protection bill that would pose a threat to doulas and midwives. It will be difficult to stop this bill from passing, however, we have drafted an amendment to protect birth assistants and recruited a state rep. to sponsor it. Please forward the following alert to any Alabamians who might be willing to urge their legislators to support this amendment. Here's the scoop:

Through our work on behalf of midwifery legislation, Lisa Clark and I have become aware of HB19, submitted by Rep. Spencer Collier (R-Mobile). His background and contact information can be found at this website:

www.legislature.state.al.us/hous....html

HB19 is a fetal protection bill that was originally conceived by the investigator who "dug up the dirt" on Alabama's most recently convicted direct-entry midwife. He envisioned a law that would be used to prosecute mothers who throw themselves off chairs, causing their own miscarriages, and midwives who "kill" babies, two scenarios he claimed to have investigated and which he equated as equally criminal. We are concerned that this bill could also be used against doulas who might be attending a mother who has a precipitious birth either at home or on the way to her planned birth location/attendant.

Our midwifery bill sponsor (Laura Hall) had agreed to submit an amendment to the fetal protection bill before it passed out of the Judicial Committee if we prepared the wording. Unfortunately, she was not in session this week due to a family emergency and we just found out that the bill has already passed out of committee and is scheduled for a vote on the House floor tomorrow ... Thursday, January 19.

Below is a message that you may post to any/all doula or birth groups in AL. We need both Doulas and their clients to contact Rep. Collier today in hopes of having an amendment added to this bill before it progresses any further. Please feel free to call either myself (home - 256.859.1352 or cell - 256.603.2666) or Lisa Clark (home - 256.829.9453) if you have any questions.

Thank you,
Chloe Raum
Alabama Birth Coalition
health.groups.yahoo.com/group/...lition/

-------------------------------

URGENT! SUPPORT AMENDMENT TO HB19
ON CALENDAR FOR TOMORROW, THURSDAY, JANUARY 19TH
Full text: www.legislature.state.al.us/Sear...9.htm

§13A-6-1.

"The (a) As used in Article 1 and Article 2, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them by this section:

"(3)(1) CRIMINAL HOMICIDE. Murder, manslaughter, or criminally negligent homicide.

"(1)(2) HOMICIDE. A person commits criminal homicide if he intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence causes the death of another person.

"(2)(3) PERSON. Such The term, when referring to the victim of a criminal homicide or assault, means a human being who had been born and was alive at the time of the homicidal act, including an unborn child at every stage of gestation in utero from conception to birth, regardless of viability.

"(b) Article 1 or Article 2 shall not apply to the death or injury to an unborn child alleged to be caused by medication and reasonably necessary medical care or treatment provided to a pregnant woman when performed by a physician or other licensed health care provider which conforms to generally accepted standards of medical care. Medical care or treatment includes, but is not limited to, dispensation or administration of prescribed medications and medical procedures.

"(c) A victim of domestic violence or sexual assault may not be charged under Article 1 or Article 2 for the injury or death of an unborn child caused by a crime of domestic violence or rape perpretrated upon her."

Section 2. Nothing in this act shall make it a crime to perform or obtain an abortion that is otherwise legal. Nothing in this act shall be construed to make an abortion legal which is not otherwise authorized by law.

Section 3. Although this bill would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds, the bill is excluded from further requirements and application under Amendment 621 because the bill defines a new crime or amends the definition of an existing crime.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

This amendment [to be inserted after Section 2, renumbering subsequent sections] is intended to protect midwives, doulas and others who could be caught by this bill if it becomes law:

Section 3. Nothing in this act shall make it a crime for a person who acts in good faith to assist a woman with the delivery of her infant subsequent to the onset of labor.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

Call and email Representative Collier and your own representative TODAY! Urge them to protect doulas and other professional birth attendants by adding the proposed amendment submitted by Lisa Clark. Please DO NOT mention midwives specifically. Please be extremely polite. Important points to mention:
1. Doulas are not licensed by the state of Alabama, and
2. They do not practice medicine or health care, so
3. There is nothing in the law that could protect them from a zealous prosecutor in the event of a tragic, but unexpected baby death.

Representative Spencer Collier
R, 105th District, Mobile
(334) 242-7719
altrooper@yahoo.com

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 1 reply

Do you find that your own birthing experiences color your care?

coelli — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 01:14:07 GMT

I'm just curious if any doulas here find that their own birthing experiences color their care of their clients; I'm particularly curious to hear from doulas who had less-than-ideal, or even traumatic, births with their own children.

I'm keenly interested in childbirth, and often think about becoming a doula, but I think my own baggage would come up - and I sometimes wonder if I wish to get involved in births so I can sort of birth vicariously. That seems like a poor reason to become a doula - I should be there for the client, not for myself, so I've never moved forward on it. I mean, I do have a strong desire to help women empower themselves and have healthy births, don't get me wrong; but I still have such deep feelings about my own births that I'm afraid it would get in the way. It would be so difficult to see women make the same mistakes I think I made, or have "bad" outcomes. I'm not sure I'm strong enough to stand it.

And I don't think I could attend births in hospitals, since they still frighten me to death - after my son's birth 5 years ago, the only times I've been in the hospital were 3 years ago when I went in at almost 43 weeks pregnant with his sister, for AROM, but I was protected by my midwife, my doula (Penny Simkin - I was truly blessed), husband, and a midwifery-supportive hospital staff and backup OB; and then six months ago, when my son was getting his tonsils out at the same hospital where he was born, where I was butchered, and I had a panic attack when walking down the hall and another when they were going to anesthetize him. No, I am not strong enough. Actually I should just hit back right now since I just realized I am really still not ready - I'm tearing up just thinking about it. :)

Has anyone else been there? How did you overcome it?

-Meghan

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 2 replies

HypnoBirthing

jschwierking — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 05:21:47 GMT

I had heard a woman raving about this in one of my classes, and then saw an advertisement for in in Midwifery Today. I confess I don't know much on the subject, only the basics, and was wondering if anyone had an opinion of it, one way or another.

Oh, and I X-posted this with another group.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

A doula story

Judy — Sun, 31 Jul 2005 15:02:26 GMT

I am a doula/massage therapist.
This is a sad story. Last week a mom who I had met for a free consult a few months ago delivered her baby boy.I had attended a girlfriend of hers and she had talked her into meeting me.
A week after her consult with me I called her to see if she wanted me to attend her at her bab's birth, I had felt that we hadn't really connected or really more so, her husband was not enthusiastic about me.
I had mentioned having been with many moms with her group of obs (who happen to take care of alot of high-risk pregnancies and they intervene quite a lot). She was not high risk at all. I questioned why she chose this group and she was uncomfortable in not having a ready answer other then her sister had used them and liked them. She told me they had decided not to use my services and I wished them the best but just wanted to know why. She said I made her more nervous about her baby's birth, she said all I want to do is pick out baby clothes and a name and let the doctor worry about the rest.
I felt my heart drop, but hey its not my baby or my body or my decision.
So last week I am in the hospital at the very same time this woman is delivering her baby. I am with another mom,who is doing fabulously I might add, in 3 hours delivered a beautiful boy.
Anyway this first mom, has taken an epidural, I learn from the nurses who are my friends.
She pushed for over 3 hours, The doc tried bringing the baby out with a vacuum and it popped twice, then with forceps but couldn't get them engaged, then reapplied the vacuum (not good) and finally drew the baby out with a tear to his scalp and took 10 minutes to reccesitate him. He is still in the NICU on a respirator. I visited the mom when I went in to see my own who I attended at birth.
She was happy to see me and said that there had been no problem with this baby before birth. The docs feel that the trauma of the birth has slowed him down and are reassuring the parents that he will come around. I sure hope so. I look at this poor woman now and remember her saying all she wanted to do was buy baby clothes and not worry about the birth process and boy is she paying for that decision now and look who else is paying.
So sad.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 12 replies

New Maternal Self-Determination Tribe

22252 — Sat, 17 Dec 2005 18:27:03 GMT

You're invited to join a tribe for people who know that birth and politics may not mix, but they do sometimes collide.

*Maternal Self-Determination*

A tribe devoted to understanding, protecting and asserting the Rights of Childbearing Women, including the rights of INFORMED consent and refusal of procedures, protocols and treatments in a "free" market health care "system" typically driven more by imposed economic imperatives than science-based evidence, respect for human rights or compassion for the well being of mothers and infants.

As a pregnant woman, you heve every right to try to have "your baby, your way" --but it's not always easy to get the system to cooperate. This tribe is a place to explore ways of increasing the possibility that you will. See related resources at BirthPolicy.com

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

WI Midwife Investigation & Legislation

22252 — Sat, 10 Dec 2005 17:50:57 GMT

While midwifery legislation has been advancing through the WI Assembly and Senate during the past month [AB 709 - http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/AB709hst.html], a criminal case against a Milwaukee midwife has been brewing behind the scenes. An article in today's Journal Sentinal is sure to ignite public controversy over the topic of midwifery, and likewise within the midwifery/home birth community where sentiments surrounding the "legalization" of midwifery are typically divided.

This reminds me of the first year of legislative activities here in VA that eventually led to the licensure of CPMs this year (licence applications will be available in January). On the day that we introduced our first piece of legislation, a maternal death subsequent to a midwife attended home birth in 1997 made statewide headlines, and ultimately the silver lining of that cloud helped to make the case for licensing CPMs. A similar outcome is indicated in the current WI situation. If VA is any example, the midwifery community will have a lot of "growing up" to do in the process.

here's the first of the public revelations:

Baby's death brings investigation
www.jsonline.com/news/wauk...376793.asp

and here's an appeal for the midwife's legal defense fund that began to circulate on various yahoo groups a couple of days ago:

Date: Thu, 08 Dec 2005 21:46:24 -0000
Subject: {RMA} WI midwife needs our help

"I am writing this email to ask you for your assistance. My preceptor (Sr. midwife) Helen is facing charges related to a fetal demise. It looks as if her arrest is imminent. She is a wonderful person who needs help with legal fees, and care for her family. Please if you can even spare a dollar or two she and I would be grateful. If you can spare more that would be great!!!!!!!! All donations are tax deductible.
Please feel free to email me if you have questions. Please understand though that I can not give anymore information about the case. My email is jenn_a_g@yahoo.com and my phone number is [deleted].

To send money via paypal please use this doulas@ticon.net

The address to mail checks to is
CARE Network, c/o Coral Slavin,
N7 W7063 Oak St.
Cedarburg, WI 53012.

Please make checks payable to CARE Network if you would like to use your donation as a tax deduction. Lets all gather together and help Helen with her legal fees. Also PLEASE keep the baby's family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you very very much!!!!!
Jennifer "

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

New Childbirth Method Meditation Science and Mind/Body Medicine

Robert — Sat, 12 Nov 2005 02:55:30 GMT

New Childbirth Methodology / Grants Pass, Oregon
CALM BIRTH is new and not new. It's not new in that it applies two treasures from ancient wisdom to childbirth, and applies the most proven method of mind/body medicine, all used in childbirth for the first time. Three methods that work together in a new form of childbirth. Not new in that we've produced more than 80 training seminars in West Coast hospitals with the support of the California Board of Nursing. Not new in that our method will be presented for the second time at the world congress of childbirth educators =APPPAH, Association of Pre-and Perinatal Psychology and Health) next week, in San Diego. Not new in that the book developed in the 8 year history of the program has just been published by North Atlantic Books (CALM BIRTH New Method for Conscious Childbirth). The program is strong in California (21 certified teachers) and has a good start in Washington (3 certified teachers). We need to develop more of a presence in Oregon, where we're located. On December 9th and again in the 16th, in Ashland and then in Grants Pass, we're presenting an evening called Childbirth in the 21st Century, in which the book and methods will be presented to the childbirth community. Please be interested in our work and connect with us (info@CalmBirth.org www.CalmBirth.org) Please write to us so that we can send you more information and an announcement for the events of 9/9 and 9/16 which you may kindly forward to others who may be interested. On January 28th we hope to be presenting a 6 hour introductory seminar in Portand, at either OHSU or St.Vincent's, but we don't have a firm scheduling yet.

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

I'm looking for a back-up doula.

jezebelsmommy — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 18:08:56 GMT

Hi there. I am a doula working toward my certification with ICEA. I currently have 4 births lined up: 2 in Decemeber, 1 in February and 1 in May.

I am looking for a back-up doula to work with me for free on the off chance that my Decemeber clients go at the same time or I am sick.

I am in the SF Bay Area and would definitely be willing to be YOUR back-up in exchange.

If you or anyone you know might be interested, PLEASE let me know.

Thanks!

Amanda

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

How would you deal with this?

Judy — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 15:37:59 GMT

When it rains it pours.......
Another difficult situation came up for one of my families. I would like everyones opinion on how it could be handled.
Mom is laboring along at a slow pace, progression is not great and she is tiring fast. Dad is also losing steam.
Mom is taking cues great from doula but when dad jumps in she suddenly turns on him like a lion. He flees the room and refuses to return.
He is pacing the hallway angry.
She labors on and when encouraged to speak with him REFUSES.
When he is encouraged to understand and come back in he REFUSES.
Baby is born without dad present.
He comes in after the birth and cries over the bassinet and until I left when mom was breastfeeding the parents hadn't spoken yet to eachother.
If any of you read my last posting on the sick baby, well this birth followed that one. I am about ready to take a long hiatus from the business.
How would you have handled this situation?

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 6 replies

Sacred Birthing Curriculum for Midwives and Doulas

healingbirth — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 04:24:59 GMT

I am pleased to invite you to:

Empowering Your Sacred Vision

Sacred Birthing Curriculum for Midwives and Doulas
October 5 - 10, 2005. - Correct dates
MAUI, HAWAII
Tuition: US $400. Food & Lodging: $525.

From the flyer,
"This 5-day ?birthshop? is a profound renewal of The Sacred Vision, and the steps to make it a reality for your practice. How do we step fully into this ancient wisdom, that on some level we know so well? To best support The Great Mystery, we will open to the partnership of birth?s unseen helpers. Tools of sacred midwifery will be taught, to reseed our trust and belief in the supreme nature of birth, and to retain the innate and vast consciousness of the newborn. Tools for inner balance will also be taught since our own clearing is fundamental to our work in birth. When we are clear, we can allow birth its uniqueness, without any interference.

This birthshop for doulas and midwives reminds you to awaken your own sacred paradigm of birth. To reawaken your original vision, and restore birth to its absolute integrity in your practice, please join the amazing women of this growing international group."

Soft Mother Maui will welcome you to the Hawaiian island of healing and new paradigms. Maui holds the space for weaving new paradigms that then travel around the world to take seed. Be with international women to take part in our own metamorphosis, so that together we can act as One to re-inspire an ancient mode of birth.

Our home for 5 days will be a beautiful remote Bed and Breakfast with lush grounds, and a panoramic view from Haleakala?s mountain peak down the green jungle gulches all the way to the sea. Enjoy this vista from the hot tub. Organic locally grown food awaits from an exceptional cook.

Celebrating the nature of birth and our spirit of wholeness, we will delve into the feminine ways to guard birth, allowing its perfection, no matter how it manifests or where it occurs.

Gloria Lemay, Canadian midwife for 25 years, said this about Sunni Karll:

?I would like to put my endorsement on any courses taught by Sunni. She came to Vancouver about 10 years ago and I've never forgotten all the amazing things she taught. She's a really fine midwife and has a beautiful heart for birth.?

Gloria Lemay relentlessly works for the rights of women to choose a birth attendant outside the government-regulated system in order to give birth at home. She has passionately fought for women?s rights throughout the court system.

For a full description and pictures, go to :
www.sacredbirthing.com/Curriculum05.pdf. See also "Midwives"
In the event you have difficulty with the link, see www.sacredbirthing.com and go to ?2005 Workshops? . Please feel free to pass this on to others who may be interested.

To register, go to "2005 Workshops" then Paypal. For those with international currencies, you may pay using your credit card and it will be converted to US currency online with Paypal. For any problems, please email me. By return email we will send you questions to assure your comfort and choice of diet, and other options.

Please join us!
Sunni Karll

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

weed wanderings

Fri, 12 Aug 2005 04:04:46 GMT

so worth the read, much on spiritual midwifery and woman craft

http://www.wise-woman-herbal.com/herbal_ezine/June05/

blessed be
aurora blue

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

dads and drugs

Nicole — Wed, 03 Aug 2005 02:55:42 GMT

Ok, so, have any of you experienced strong resistence from a papa when mama might be asking for pain meds? what do doulas do in this case? I recently attended a birth where mama was asking many times for drug support, and after giving her LOADS of other, non-drug support, she continued to request. So, ok, then... support the mama in EVERY choice, right? absolutely. But papa was hard-core resistent, and it caused a lot of tension. Ultimately, she was asking him for permission to get the relief she felt she needed.
help!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 3 replies

client contracts and rates... ?????????

Nicole — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 18:02:57 GMT

I am now returning to doula work (my own baby is now 8 months, and I feel I can return to my passion! yay!!) and anyway, I was thinking about contracts with clients.... does anyone have a good example of one? what should I include?
and by the by, what is the going rate for doula services, just to be sure I am on track with the "going amount."

thanks!

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 4 replies

introduction treesa

treesa — Sat, 09 Jul 2005 01:14:53 GMT

Hi I am Treesa Mclean a Birth and Postpartum Doula and a Doula Educator.

I work in the bay area and have been attending births since 1983.

treesa

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Volunteer doula~

nikitty — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 23:13:27 GMT

Hello,

I am currently in the middle of my doula certification; to complete my certification I need to provide doula love at three births. I would like to work with low-income pregnant women or teenagers on a volunteer basis to reach my certification. I live in San Francisco, and if anyone out there knows of organizations or hospitals (I am just beginning this research) that could help me make this connection, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,
Nikki

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 3 replies

Introduction

Sun, 26 Jun 2005 17:52:23 GMT

Hi Everyone,

My name is Jodie, I live in Los Angeles, my background is in documentary filmmaking, and recently I shifted my focus into filming births. It all started 4 years ago and now I’m moving forward with great passion. I recently launched my website – www.mybirthmovie.com and you can view 3 very short clips of my work. The full versions of my birth films are about 15-20 minutes long. Some of them are used in childbirth education classes, both here and abroad. I’m interested connecting with more midwives, doulas, hypnobirth instructors, expecting couples and the like. Wishing you all a lovely day. Jodie

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

Sacred Birthing Curriculum for Midwives and Doulas

healingbirth — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 03:32:27 GMT

Open invatation to join: SacredBirthing.tribe.net

I am pleased to invite you to:

Empowering Your Sacred Vision

Sacred Birthing Curriculum for Midwives and Doulas

October 5-10, 2005.

MAUI, HAWAII

Price: US $400. Plus Food & Lodging

From the flyer,

"This 5-day ‘birthshop’ is a profound renewal of The Sacred Vision, and the steps to make it a reality for your practice. How do we step fully into this ancient wisdom, that on some level we know so well? To best support The Great Mystery, we will open to the partnership of birth’s unseen helpers. Tools of sacred midwifery will be taught, to reseed our trust and belief in the supreme nature of birth, and to retain the innate and vast consciousness of the newborn. Tools for inner balance will also be taught since our own clearing is fundamental to our work in birth. When we are clear, we can allow birth its uniqueness, without any interference.

This birthshop for doulas and midwives reminds you to awaken your own sacred paradigm of birth. To reawaken your original vision, and restore birth to its absolute integrity in your practice, please join the amazing women of this growing international group."

Soft Mother Maui will welcome you to the Hawaiian island of healing and new paradigms. Maui holds the space for weaving new paradigms that then travel around the world to take seed. Be with international women to take part in our own metamorphosis, so that together we can act as One to re-inspire an ancient mode of birth.

Our home for 5 days will be a beautiful remote Bed and Breakfast with lush grounds, and a panoramic view from Haleakala’s mountain peak down the green jungle gulches all the way to the sea. Organic locally grown food from an exceptional cook awaits.

Celebrating the nature of birth and our spirit of wholeness, we will delve into the feminine ways to guard birth, allowing its perfection, no matter how it manifests or where it occurs.

For a full description and pictures, go to :

www.sacredbirthing.com/Curriculum05.pdf. See also "Midwives"

In the event you have difficulty with the link, see www.sacredbirthing.com and go to “2005 Workshops” . Please feel free to pass this on to others who may be interested.

To register, go to "2005 Workshops" then Paypal. For those with international currencies, you may pay using your credit card and it will be converted to US currency online with Paypal. For any problems, please email me. By return email we will send you questions to assure your comfort and choice of diet.

Please join us!

Sunni Karll

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 0 replies

new to thsi tribe

tracyahicks — Thu, 05 May 2005 01:37:47 GMT

Hello Everyone
I am a currently training to be a doula and childbirth educator.
It is something I have wanted to do for almost ten years, but I recently felt a strong calling to it and the timing is just perfect. I am very excited to have started the training.
peace, Tracy

posted in Labor of Love - A Doula Network - 4 replies